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Hunter & Co.: from the ordinary to the extraordinary

Hunter & Co.: from the ordinary to the extraordinary

When professionalism wears White Gloves.

Embarking on a Remarkable Tale

Picture this: a world where vision meets opportunity, and an extraordinary company is born.

Once upon a time, in 2009, there was a bond where trust and mutual respect were not empty words, but the foundation of a great narrative waiting to unfold. 

This story begins with Ryan Hunter, who while working at International Art Services (IAS), identified a gap in furniture logistics. Nestled in the heart of Sydney, Australia, this gap begged to be bridged with finesse akin to the world of fine art logistics.

Ryan, therefore, brought this to the attention of Kingsley Munday, the owner of IAS. Now Kingsley, wise and forward-thinking, saw the potential in Ryan’s vision and encouraged him to set up his Hunter & Co. Transport. Kingsley gave Ryan dual powers of entrepreneurship and a continuing role at the IAS.

The rest, as they say, became a harmonious history of mentorship and friendship: Kingsley thus became, over time, a loyal mentor and close friend.

Ryan and Blue (company’s mascot and Ryan’s best friend – in memoriam)

Hunter & Co. Today

Fast forward fourteen years and here we are, looking at the brilliant company Hunter & Co., with its team of 25 people.

Ryan Hunter and Hamilton Ribeiro are currently the Managing Directors (whereas Nicole Cramey and Pierre Etienne Mathot previously held the same position). Last but not least, Operations Manager Kyle Dolan.

This crew has only one mission: to make customers feel like royalty, taking care of them especially in the delicate final phase – the last physical mile.

Team photos
Hamilton, Kyle and Ryan
Hamilton and Ryan in Los Angeles (USA)

The legendary White Gloves Delivery and more! 

H&Co. is best known for its highly sought-after White Glove service, symbolised by the literal use of white gloves. This complete package includes installation and meticulous removal of packaging.

Another frequently requested service is the correction of failed delivery attempts initiated by other delivery services.

In order to guarantee optimal results, Hunter & Co. deploys balcony lifts, hoists and collaboration in crane operations, just to name a few examples. Of course, the needs of customers and suppliers have changed over time, e H&Co. elegantly danced its way into adapting services. Among these, commercial and residential storage and consolidation are the true stars of this evolving saga.

Loading a truck
Crane delivery
Team in action

A new dawn in Brisbane

Hunter & Co. not only embraced change but also chased the sparkle of growth. 

The story took a double turn in Brisbane, where a new chapter began on 1 September. 

The same majestic services that Sydney had enjoyed find a home here too. 

A bold two-day strategy, soon to be expanded due to the impending high season, ushered in a fresh era.

The supervisors of H&Co. will then be transferred to Brisbane in October-December, due to growing demand.

Team dispatching a crate
Headquarters in Matraville (Sydney, NSW)
Receiving a container
The forklift to put stock away
One of 8 vehicles in the fleet
Delivery of goods
Storage facility

Our Unbreakable Bond

And then emerges the heart of it all – the unbreakable bond between Hunter & Co. and us at Salbini. It’s not just business; it’s an alignment of values ​​and ethics.

“The inclusion of the Salbini team has undeniably enriched H&Co.’s portfolio. Their insights are instrumental in refining, adapting, and gaining ideas, making the learning process invaluable for us”; these are the words Hunter & Co. dedicated to us.

Team working on a Salbini project in Vaucluse, NSW
Strength and delicacy of Team Hunter & Co.

So, let’s raise a toast to Hunter & Co. – a saga of trust, evolution and spirited collaboration. Here’s to a future where the pages continue to turn, and the legacy continues to grow. 

Cheers to Hunter & Co., where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, one white-gloved step at a time.

“We have been understanding customer needs for generations”. Ottaviano Borgonovo tells us about his MisuraEmme

MisuraEmme Company

Ability, persistence and enthusiasm. MisuraEmme could be described with these three words. 

The company, located in Italy, in Mariano Comense (CO), was founded in 1902 by Giovanni Mascheroni. Today it has a factory of 35,000 m2.

However, we asked manager Ottaviano Borgonovo to tell us something more about this company.

Born in 1987, since 2014, Ottaviano is passionately dedicated to the commercial and marketing aspects of the family business, demonstrating great competence and professionalism.

About 10 years at the head of the Company: which developments have you noticed over this period?

“As first, I have seen the evolution of many international markets in the furniture industry, which have become strategic to its success. This is why, we wanted the company to become more and more international, in order to adapt to the requirements of foreign markets, different from those of the Italian market.

A further consequence of the decision to invest in foreign markets was the reinforcement of the quality and international design of the products. We’ve also decided to invest more in raw material technology and in the industrial process.

As a result of these choices, sales have reversed from 80% in the Italian market to less than 20% in 2022.”

Customizing the product according to the individual’s needs is one of the strengths of MisuraEmme. What are the differences between Italian and international customers? Do needs change based on geography?

“Definitely. It’s not a secret that there are countries with a taste for minimal, such as northern Europe, while those of the Middle East prefer a sumptuous aesthetic, with a prevalence of bronzed metals and marble. Quite the opposite, the United States is focused on wood. However, each country has its own specific taste.

Anyway, a trend in the luxury market is developing recently, with an international taste that unites all geographical areas and combines elements of different styles.

But another significant difference between customer types concerns the way the market is conceived: design, in fact, plays a role of primary importance in the international arena, compared to the simple production of the product. The sale of a project is much more important than the sale of the product itself.”

In 2003, MisuraEmme was awarded the Acquaver label for the use of environmentally friendly painting systems. How attentive is today’s customer to the green theme?

“The green theme is becoming more and more relevant for all markets. In fact, the appreciation for using eco-sustainable materials and industrial solutions with a lower environmental impact is increasing.

Moreover, consumer awareness has increased not only towards the product, but also towards the sustainable attitude of the company that produces it.

Being a green company not only means using materials and solutions with a lower environmental impact, but also adopting a respectful approach to the environment in the daily management of the company itself. 

In other words we want sustainability to be a theme in all areas of the company’s work.”

Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023: what’s new at MisuraEmme?

“This year we brought two new boiserie systems to the Salone del Mobile: Puzzle and Palo Alto Wall. We designed these two systems to be integrated with all the day and night equipment and the finishes are completely customizable. So we have a range of furniture solutions that are potentially infinite and widely customizable, which is the quintessence of the sartorial attitude of MisuraEmme.”

Puzzle

Designed by CR&S MisuraEmme

Puzzle is an equipped and modular boiserie system for wall coverings, which includes a series of completely integrated elements: wooden containers, glass cases and shelves.

The idea starts from the concept of evolution of the composition, thanks to wall coverings that can be equipped with dedicated elements, which can be used both in the living area and in the sleeping area.

It consists of a system of uprights and transoms in aluminum to be fixed to the wall and a series of frame panels.

Puzzle is available in different finishes: wood, concrete, straw or thermoformed melamine.

Palo Alto Wall

Designed by Gianni Borgonovo

Palo Alto Wall is the wooden boiserie system which becomes the distinctive element of an exclusive and functional sleeping area, with the elegance of the unmistakable MisuraEmme style.

It is a floor-to-ceiling wall covering, which can be fully integrated with the Palo Alto Free and Palo Alto I-Box walk-in closet systems, which opens up an infinite range of furnishing possibilities, providing the designer with various opportunities.

Special tip: the prestige of wood and glass can be further enhanced by installing exclusive LED lights, thanks to the electrified rack structure.

In your opinion, which is the secret of MisuraEmme’s success?

“Certainly, the ability to understand customer needs and intercept market trends. The collaboration with architects of international caliber has also contributed to the success. Last but not least, the strategic vision and the belief of my family, which over the generations has always enthusiastically supported all the innovations in research and innovation in design and product.”

How do you imagine the future of the Company? What is your vision of MisuraEmme?

“The evolution will be crucial to face an increasingly competitive market.

Because of the presence of foreign industrial companies in the furniture sector, we should be able to intercept the needs of a market that is moving towards a demand for life style, as well as product, in order to compete internationally. To consolidate our presence in the most emerging markets, we’ll then face a series of international investments.

Finally, it will be essential to implement the latest technological innovations that in these years are revolutionizing the world of communication and beyond.”

Do you need MisuraEmme products for your project? Request a free quote

Credits: Photographs courtesy of MisuraEmme.

Filippo Salbini interviewed by Love Happens, the KOKET magazine

Love Happens Magazine

Family, projects, business, design, achievements and happiness are the topics of the interview with our Managing Director Filippo Salbini carried out by Love Happens, the magazine of the KOKET brand.

Filippo Salbini and KOKET

We at Salbini collaborate closely with KOKET and with the other brands of the Covet Group, which is one of our premium partners.

Love Happens is the luxury lifestyle magazine born from the minds behind luxury home decor brand KOKET, offered online and through a bi-annual print edition.

LH celebrates all things beautiful and iconic, aiming to provide not only information, but also an emotional response to readers.

The interview with our Managing Director Filippo Salbini makes us very proud!

Read the interview with Filippo Salbini

Special thanks to Marta Vieira.

Customs duties and taxes

Customs duties and taxes

Duties and taxes are imposed to protect national revenue and safeguard local industry. Almost all shipments crossing international borders are subject to duty and tax assessment, with customs officials basing this on information provided on the commercial invoice and other relevant documents.

When do you need to pay customs duties and taxes?

Payment to the authorities must be met before the shipments are released from customs. 

Australia

Things you buy over the Internet have the same duties applied as any other import.

For goods with a value of AUD 1000 or less, there are generally no duties, taxes or charges to pay at the border,

For goods with a value over AUD 1000, you will need to fill out an import declaration and pay duties, taxes and charges at the border.

GST is payable on most goods imported into Australia.The GST payable is 10% of the value of the taxable importation. Generally, GST is payable before the goods are released by Home Affairs. If you are an importer and are registered for GST, you may be able to defer the payment of GST by participating in the deferred GST scheme.

United States

Import duty and taxes are owed when importing goods into the United States, whether by a private individual or a commercial entity.

The valuation method is FOB, which means that the import duty and taxes payable are calculated exclusively on the value of the imported goods. Duty rates vary from 0 to 37.5 percent, with a typical duty rate about 5.63 percent.

Goods must be declared for entry into the U.S. within 15 days of arrival or prior to leaving a bonded warehouse or foreign trade zone. The importer of record declares the transaction value of the goods and country of origin, along with other information. The declarations must include an invoice and packing list (or equivalent) listing all goods.

CBP then assesses duty, which must be paid by the importer of record before goods can be released. Many importers participate in a voluntary self-assessment program with CBP.

Korea 

Korea has a flat 10 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on all imports and domestically manufactured goods. A special excise tax of 10-20 percent is also levied on the importation of certain luxury items and durable consumer goods.

Tariffs and taxes must be paid in Korean Won within 15 days after goods have cleared Customs. 

Asia

Generally, all goods entering Singapore are subject to a 7% GST on imported goods. This import fee is applicable for items which have a total value of SG$400 and above.

The taxable value is calculated based on its Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value and all other duties and tax charges.

In 2021, the Singapore government announced that low-value goods bought online will also be subjected to GST from 1 January 2023.

Importing through Salbini

On our site and in our quotes, prices don’t include GST and customs duties, being a tax that you don’t need to pay us.

In fact, we are exporters, not importers.

These import duties and taxes are paid by the buyer / importer upon arrival of the goods in their country.

The Salbini team offers the buyer all the assistance and information necessary to complete the procedures.

Salbini Experience: Vittoria Chiarilli from Australia

Our Australia manager Vittoria Chiarilli is an Interior Designer. She has a small studio called Marly Hemisphere which operates out of Melbourne Australia.

She has been in Milano for the Salone del Mobile and then we interviewed her in Pagani.

Childhood

She has always been artistic as a child.

“As a very young girl l would accompany my father to his work – he was a builder and l would find small objects on his building sites and make sculptures to take home and show my mum. I learned to sew at 14 and draft all my own patterns for clothes l made. I was happiest when l was creating and making things.”

Favourite design style

Some of her favourite design styles are: Neo Classic, Post Modern, Scandinavian, Midcentury Modern and Art Deco.

Functionality or appeal?

When asked if she prefers functionality or appeal she says she prefers to try to combine both.

“It means l can have something look beautiful but also importantly provide the client with an easy to use space that meets most of their needs”

What are a couple of questions you’d ask to discover your client’s requirements?

Some of the questions she usually asks a client are:

  • what are you trying to achieve in the space?
  • are we using some existing items/furniture you have
  • how do you live in the space
  • Are you looking for locally made furniture or are you wanting to consider furniture manufactured overseas
  • And then most importantly what is your budget”

These are important questions to ask a client to begin a good collaboration.

Keeping up with industry changes and with the latest Interior Design styles

Keeping up with industry changes is at times difficult in a fast changing world.

“I try where l can to go to trade shows such as Salone del Mobile which often provide a great source of inspiration… I keep myself up to date with the latest design styles by following interior designers and architects on instagram and the internet that interest me.” 

It’s also important working in collaboration with other designers.

Imagine your client asks you to design a room in a way that is visually pleasing but not practical. How would you react?

“If they are just wanting a room/space to look beautiful and it be never used then we don’t need to be practical, but if the space is an area that is used frequently it is my job to highlight to the client the disadvantages of being in a space that is not practical.”

It’s important to create spaces that are thoughtful, reflect the client’s personality and ultimately give the client great satisfaction to move within these spaces.

When a client rejects all your design concepts

The design process needs to be a collaboration between client and designer and in order to achieve this successfully there must be a level of trust from the client.

“When a client rejects all my design concepts it usually means they have perhaps not chosen the right designer for their project. Initial meetings with clients are crucial, they establish if we will be able to work together and if there is a potential to clash.”

Vittoria Chiarilli at the Auditorium Theater in Pagani

Why Salbini for the supply of European design products?

Using a company like Salbini means that clients are dealing directly with an agent out of Italy. One of the benefits is that a customer can buy different type of products all through one agent. 

Moreover, “Things are done more quickly if there is an issue or drama.” Another reason would be cost saving. It’s all advantageous.

With Salbini Experience we will open the doors of the best Italian companies to you.

Do you need to carry out projects with the best design products? Come to Italy!

Find out more

Salbini Experience: Scott Wilson from Australia

Scott Wilson is our commercial manager and agent in Australia.

He came in Italy in June 2022 for the Salone del Mobile and then he visited Pagani, where we had the opportunity to interview him.

“I love Italy and working with Italians… I like the beautiful people in the South”.

His role

He’s the commercial manager and agent in Australia.

“I have to face between our team in Pagani and our clients in Australia: mainly with commercial clients but also with private ones as well”.

“…dealing with the client, being the middle piece between the Australian clients and our team in Pagani… I love being part of the process”.

Interesting aspects of the job

Scott loves everything about his job but several things stand out most:

“…dealing with the client, being the middle piece between the Australian clients and our team in Pagani… I love being part of the process… I get to see beautiful pieces of furniture, beautiful joinery”.

What clients usually ask

Clients ask Scott lots of things: they ask about the prices but they are also curious about the process and how Salbini operates. They also want to now about Salbini.

“I tell them the history of Pagani and the history of the company”.

Relationship Pagani-Sydney

It’s amazing this relationship Pagani-Sydney.

“We get to expose Australians to this part of Italy… I feel very proud that I get to tell the story of Pagani and our business, which is a family”.

Scott Wilson and Filippo Salbini
Scott Wilson in Pagani

The future of the job

Scott is very positive about the future of Salbini.

“In 2 years we will have more staff, more commercial clients, we will grow even larger… I see exciting things for Salbini in Australia and in every other country as well”.

Euro hits parity with the US dollar

Euro-Dollar

The euro has suffered a swift and brutal slump this year, and now it has crossed a major threshold: for the first time in 20 years, the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar has reached parity. The euro hasn’t been valued below $1 since July 15, 2002. It’s now below $1.01.

What does it mean?

It means the European and American currencies are worth the same amount.

The falling exchange rate has been blamed on rate rises, Europe’s energy dependence on Russia and growing fears of a recession, which typically drive investment in haven assets. Energy prices have driven euro-area inflation to a record 8.6% in June, making everything from groceries to utility bills more expensive.

Why dollar is king now

The dollar has climbed in value against global currencies by more than 10% since the beginning of the year.

It means that people need to put up fewer dollars in exchange for other currencies.

What does a strong U.S. dollar mean for imports, exports?

For decades, currency devaluation was a monetary policy tool to obtain competitive trade advantages. The idea is simple: if your currency is worth less, your products are cheaper, and it is much easier to put them on the market, which revitalizes exports and boosts the economy.

A strong dollar may help consumers buy more imported goods. 

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics said “if you’re an importer, the strength of the dollar is a good thing”. Zandi expects the dollar’s strength against the euro to last for a year or two.

“I don’t see the dollar significantly weakening any time soon,” he said.

Sources: El Paìs, AP News, Moody’s Analytics.

Salbini Experience: Chan Yoon from South Korea

Chan Yoon is our South Korea Manager and came to visit us in Italy in June 2022. 

Before going to Milan together for the Salone del Mobile 2022, Chan was our guest in Southern Italy. 

It was a pleasure meeting him and having the opportunity of interviewing him. He has been part of our family for more than 2 years.

The first contact and collaboration with us

Chan met us for the first time as a client and he was very satisfied with the service:

“It was not about money, but it was more about solving my problem to make my room the most beautiful place in the world.”

And that’s how he got confidence and decided to work with us.

His role 

“At the beginning, I was a one-man show. Now my business has gone to 5 people”.

He handles B2B projects, sometimes B2C as well, meeting the clients.

The interesting aspects of his job

There are two interesting aspects in Chan’s job: being able to provide great furniture to his customers; being able to provide new brands in South Korea and seeing excitement in the clients.


Chan Yoon is an interior designer, founder of Stretta Furniture and Stretta Studio in Seoul

Favorite brands

When asked what are his favorite brands, Chan told us that what he loves more about Italian furniture is that they make the best use of materials.

“The very first furniture that I came to import was Poltrona Frau. I really love their leather and its luxurious use”.

He also appreciates DV Home and Misuraemme.

The future of the market in South Korea 

“I think that our company could become number one in terms of luxury brands”.

The meeting with the Italian team

Chan had the opportunity to spend time with our Italian team to take care of the details of some projects under construction in South Korea and also to spend some relaxing moments on the Amalfi Coast, in Pompeii, Salerno and with the Salbini family.

Chan Yoon, JInho Shin and Francesco Ferrara in Amalfi
Chan Yoon, Carmela Salbini and Filippo Salbini in Corbara

Dinner and relaxation with the Salbini family

With Salbini Experience we will open the doors of the best Italian companies to you.

Do you need to carry out projects with the best design products? Come to Italy!

Find out more

Ocean freight

Ocean freight

More than 90 percent of the goods transported in the world are carried by ocean freight.  

Businesses that deal with international shipments are always faced with the dilemma of choosing between Ocean freight and Air freight. Although the two serve the same purpose, they are poles apart in multiple ways. Choosing to use one over the other boils down to a significant difference in cost and time. 

Why should you choose ocean transport? 

First of all, the ocean shipping industry offers the most competitive freight costs to shippers, especially over long distances.

Moreover, no matter the size of your shipments, sea freight companies can usually accommodate your needs. Smaller shipments can be grouped together with other cargo to fill a container, allowing for cost-sharing of the transportation services. Larger cargo can fill one or more containers.  

Full Container Load (FCL) or Less-than-Container Load (LCL)

A FCL shipment is used when a shipper bears the cost of the entire container and uses it exclusively for a single shipment, even if they do not have enough goods to fill it up. On the other hand, an LCL shipment means shippers share the containers with other shipments and only need to pay for the space used.

While FCL may be cheaper than LCL, the latter may be a better option for smaller shipments. It is widely considered to be the future of logistics as the rise in e-commerce has contributed to a growing trend of ad-hoc and lower-volume shipments.

Additionally, emerging markets have also shown a preference for smaller shipments. This has led to a steadily growing demand for LCL options.

Environmental impact

A very important factor that must be considered, given the global warming crisis is the carbon footprint of the company. The mode of transport that a business uses to move around its shipments is a determinant of the company’s consideration for the planet.

When compared to sea shipping, air and many other forms of transportation have much higher carbon footprints – a definite disadvantage for the environment. Ships, on the other hand, provide the most carbon-efficient mode of transportation and produce fewer grams of exhaust gas emissions for each ton of cargo transported than any other shipment method. 

Transit time

Transit time on an ocean shipment usually takes from 12 days up to 50 days depending on the origin and destination.  

For example, a shipment from Italy to Australia averages 45/50 days. Transit time on an air freight shipment to Australia takes 6/7 days. Make sure to consider that due to COVID, transit time has become longer. It’s better to understand there are challenges faced in all stages of the supply chain.

The actual transit time from Italy to Australia is 60/65 days via Ocean freight, 8/10 days via air freight.

How to import European products in Australia

Do you need to renovate your house, or create a new residential project with the best European luxury brands? Here’s how you can do it with our help!

Online shopping

On our Australian website, you can buy the goods you need, choosing among thousands of products from the best European brands.

At checkout, after entering the country and post code the site automatically calculates shipping fees.

Payment is simple and can be made with bank deposit to our Australian bank account, credit card or Paypal.

GST and customs duties are to be paid when goods arrive in Australia.

Delivery

After payment, you can choose between two delivery methods:

  • Ocean freight, that takes 8 to 9 weeks; 
  • For faster delivery select delivery by Air freight, which generally takes about 1/2 weeks.

You needn’t worry using a custom agent because our courier takes care of everything. 

All you have to do is pay GST and duties before delivery.

Tailor-made quotes

If you need to purchase lots of products in a single order, you can request a quote for your project.

Just contact us and our staff will offer you the best solution on the market, including transport costs and payment methods.

All in one order, tailor-made for you.

Safe shipping

Your purchases arrive safely and securely as they have been shipped in custom-built crates made by us for the journey. 

Our crates reduce the risk of damage to goods during transport.

Contacts and after-sales assistance

If you have any questions you can contact us by phone at our Australian telephone number (03 8658 0755), or send an email at info@salbini.com or use the 24/7 live chat service.

We are always available, before, during and after the delivery of the goods covered by a 2-years warranty.

Cover image: Freepik.com