Featuring Ian Ashby, Managing Director, and Tony Ferragamo, Timber Systems Design Manager, Inotek Timber Systems
In a construction landscape grappling with skilled labour shortages, high demand and increasing pressure to deliver faster and smarter, Inotek Timber Systems is leading the charge in redefining how homes are built in Australia.
For Ian Ashby, Managing Director of Inotek, the answer lies in offsite construction and modern methods of building. “We simply do not have the labour or skillset on-site to meet the demand for housing. Offsite production and factory-based innovation are the only way forward,” he says.
But to build smarter, you need more than just great technology. You need the right partner. That is why Inotek made the move to MiTek.
A Seamless Transition
“We transitioned to MiTek two years ago, and the support we received was phenomenal,” says Ian. “We had to learn the software quickly, but the support we received made it seamless. From onboarding to day-to-day support, the MiTek team was fantastic.”
The shift to MiTek was not just about adopting software. It was about integrating a complete system that supported both people and processes. “The MiTek Management Suite was tailored to our needs. We now use it to analyse our margins, plan future jobs and optimise material usage.”
Tailored Software with a User Focus
For Tony Ferma, Timber Systems Design Manager, the technical benefits have been just as critical. “The standout for me is the 3D visualisation. We were able to model a large childcare centre with overlaid steel, export a 3D CAD file to the steel fabricator and everything fitted perfectly on site.”
Tony also highlights the MiTek software’s take-off capability. “We can customise CAD elements, pull detailed Bills of Materials and include items outside the standard scope of timber framing. It has completely streamlined our design-to-manufacture process.”
And when it comes to support? “Even two years on, the MiTek team is just a phone call away,” says Tony. “Their responsiveness—whether it is a simple design question or an engineering query—has been consistent from day one.”
The True Meaning of Partnership
Ian is quick to stress that the value of the MiTek relationship goes well beyond software. “Partnership is more than being a supplier or a customer. It is about understanding each other’s business. MiTek took the time to understand ours—and that has made all the difference.”
Even during market downturns, Inotek has grown, and Ian attributes that resilience to the strength of the MiTek partnership. “We believe we are perfectly positioned to grow as the market rebounds, and that is due to the partnership with MiTek.”