ORIX Australia Reconciliation Action Plan Progresses

Nine months into the implementation of its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ORIX Australia has achieved significant milestones and remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering reconciliation in Australia.

Reconciliation Action Plans assist businesses to embed the principles and purpose of reconciliation. Since 2006, RAPs have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. “ORIX Australia is proud to be part of a network of more than 2,700 organisations that directly impact over four million Australians at work every day,” says Reggie Cabal, ORIX Australia’s CEO.

There are four RAP types: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate, which allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments. “Our 2024-25 plan, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, is a Reflect RAP, reflecting our commitment to forging meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples and acknowledging their connection with the land on which we operate,” explains Reggie. “It provides a strategic roadmap, laying the foundations for the company and for future reconciliation initiatives, and is an exciting formalisation of the deep respect we have for First Nations Peoples. It’s a collective effort to not only build a workplace where every individual feels seen, heard and valued, but also contributes more broadly to reconciliation in Australia.

“We recognise the power that diversity brings to our workplace and our community, and our RAP plays a crucial role in ensuring our workplace is a space where every voice matters. It’s an important step in our long-term commitment to build more meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to better understand their culture and help build a better tomorrow.”

Beginning our reconciliation journey

For several years, ORIX Australia has been working towards enhancing cultural awareness, particularly by commemorating National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. Our official journey towards reconciliation began in 2023, with the formation of a National RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP. The RWG consists of passionate individuals from a range of divisions within ORIX Australia, with executive sponsorship from People & Culture, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee.

Members of the ORIX Australia Reconciliation Committee (Tony Hutton, Christie Whyte, Iain Gordon and Lorin Heah)

“While ORIX Australia has engaged with our local First Nations community for a number of years, we recognise the importance of formalising those efforts across our national footprint. We commit to continually identifying opportunities to foster stronger relationships and educational opportunities with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as we progress the development of our RAP,” says Christie Whyte, RWG Lead.

“We have delivered 17 of our Reflect RAP actions and are continually identifying opportunities to foster stronger relationships and educational opportunities with local communities as we progress the development of our RAP.”

At the start of our Reflect RAP, we created a distinctive artwork that symbolises the beginning of the journey. “That involved working closely with Blue Tongue Management and Aboriginal Cultural Immersions to craft an artwork that embodies our purpose: ‘Finding Paths. Making Impact.’ It symbolised the first step in our long-term RAP journey,” explains Reggie.

The artwork represents a map, illustrating the diverse routes ORIX Australia takes to help customers find paths to a sustainable tomorrow. The strokes and colours symbolise the arteries connecting us to the heart of our nation, reaching regional and remote communities, while the lines represent journeys made possible by our vehicles and assets, linking us to many customers in the communities we serve.

“This artwork is not just an aesthetic addition to our office wall; it’s a visual pledge, a constant reminder of the paths we are carving and the positive impact we are driving in partnership with local First Nations communities,” says Reggie.

“I am very happy with our progress to date and the team who has helped bring this RAP to life. Their passion and commitment to making our company an inclusive and welcoming place for all are truly commendable. I’d particularly like to single out Christie Whyte, Tony Hutton, Eimee Francisco, Lorin Heah and Iain Gordon.”

To learn more about ORIX Australia’s reconciliation journey, please head to our RAP here.

The Christmas and New Year period is one of the busiest times on Australian roads. If you’re travelling during this time, following these safety tips can help ensure a smooth and secure journey.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Check

Before setting off on your holiday journey, make sure your vehicle is in good condition for a safe drive. Here are some checks to perform:

• Inspect the tyres, brakes, suspension, lights, and seat belts.
• Check tyre pressure—under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption and affect performance. You can find tyre pressure details on the placard inside the right front door frame or in the vehicle’s handbook. Properly inflated tyres also contribute to better fuel efficiency.
• Ensure headlights, indicators, and brake lights are functioning.
• Look for chips or cracks in your windscreen, as rough roads can cause these to worsen.
• Check fluid levels, including oil, coolant, and windscreen washer fluid.

Since some services may be closed over the holidays, it’s important to be well-prepared before you leave.

Plan Your Route

Knowing your route beforehand can help avoid stress and reduce the risk of accidents. Before setting off, you may want to:

• Check road conditions and traffic reports to avoid delays or accidents.
• Consider any roadworks or detours that might affect your trip.
• Use navigation apps to help you stay on track and find alternative routes if needed.

Maintain a Safe Following Distance

Holiday periods often lead to more vehicles towing boats, caravans, and trailers. Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, particularly slower-moving ones, is crucial. Patience and caution are essential when navigating around these road users.

Prepare for Fatigue

If you are travelling long distances, fatigue can significantly impair your driving abilities. To help reduce tiredness when driving, remember to:

• Take regular breaks—stop every two hours to stretch your legs and refresh your mind.
• Avoid driving when you’re feeling drowsy. If you’re tired, switch drivers or find a safe place to rest.
• Consider staying overnight if you’re driving long distances, rather than pushing through.
• If you’re travelling for work, please follow your company’s fatigue management requirements.

In Case of an Accident

If you’re involved in a road accident, it’s important to follow the proper steps which should include:

• Prioritising safety—ensure you and others are safe. Do not attempt to move any injured passengers from the vehicle.
• Avoiding admitting fault or offering to pay for damages at the scene.
• Providing your name, address, driver license number, registration details, and insurance information to others involved in the accident. Be sure to collect similar details from them.
• Gathering contact information from witnesses and take detailed notes and photos of the scene, including the location, road conditions, and vehicle damage. This will be helpful when filing an insurance claim.

Police reporting requirements may vary by state, so make sure you’re aware of the guidelines in your area.

Holiday traffic often causes congestion and distractions. Staying alert, avoiding distractions while driving, and remaining patient—especially during traffic jams or in busy areas—are essential for safe travel.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season on the roads.

This article has been published for information purposes only.  Information on safe driving is available at various State and Territory websites.  Any opinions, views of contributors, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on information available at time of writing, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in this article.  ORIX Australia Corporation Limited ABN 79 002 992 681

ORIX Australia has moved its head office to an incredible new location in Macquarie Park, Sydney. The state-of-the-art space sparks an exciting new era of collaboration and productivity, with features and amenities promoting innovation, collaboration and overall health and wellbeing. Along the way, our people made a long-lasting impact in the local community through donations of equipment and furniture as well as responsible disposal of waste materials.

The new head office space at Levels 2 & 3, 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, Sydney is equipped with the technology, tools and amenities to empower our people to work together in an environment created to enhance their wellbeing and productivity.

“The new office is a testament to our commitment to our people. This space is not just a building; It’s a canvas for collaboration, a catalyst for innovation, with the right facilities to support how we work now and in the future. It’s a space that exemplifies our vision and values, and an environment to foster diversity that can empower everyone to thrive. This office embodies our belief that when we come together with purpose, anything is achievable,” says Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of ORIX Australia Corporation Limited, Reggie Cabal.

The office is full of collaborative working and gathering spaces, encouraging open communication, idea sharing, brainstorming and team building. The innovative space provides a place for new ideas to grow and skills to be learned. Inspiring décor, flowing greenery and natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows create a welcoming work environment. Functional features such as height-adjustable desks, dual monitors and ergonomic chairs emphasise health and wellbeing. And a revamped front-of-house and visitor seating area offer a great first impression for clients and other visitors.

Lending a helping hand
During the transition, our people donated eight carloads of stationery and office equipment to Marsden High School in Meadowbank, Sydney. Everything from binders and writing utensils to document trays and paper guillotines now have a new home, where they will be put to good use by students and teachers.

Sending some love to ReLove
While moving to the new home, we also made a sizeable furniture donation to ReLove. This registered Australian charity focuses on supporting women and children impacted by domestic violence, experiencing homelessness and/or seeking asylum. In total, ORIX donated the equivalent of eight homes’ worth of furniture, appliances and kitchenware including fridges, microwaves, lounges and lounge chairs, coffee tables, artwork, glassware and cutlery.

Focusing on sustainability
ORIX Australia is committed to upholding our company values regarding sustainability, turning our global focus into action during the move. Our people recycled 42,910kg (42.23 tonnes) of material and equipment over the 4-month moving period. That adds up to 276.49 metric tonnes/month of avoided CO2E emissions^*.

* Based on Stopwaste Partnership Greenhouse Gas reductions calculator.
(https://www.stopwaste.co/calculator/)

Our new building offers several sustainable features including LED sensor lighting to reduce energy consumption. We’ve also reduced our overall physical footprint – 23% less floor space and 50% less storage space – that will lead to less energy usage. And the Macquarie Park location’s proximity to a bustling train and metro station and bus interchange, as well as the building offering bike racks and end-of-trip facilities, promotes more efficient, sustainable commuting.

We’re looking forward to embarking on this new chapter and celebrating team-wide achievements and success that continue to drive sustainable vehicle and asset leasing, rental solutions, and fleet management services to businesses across Australia.

Easter is one of the busiest times of the year on Australian roads. If you’re on the road this long weekend, here are some handy tips to help you travel safely.

Keep a safe distance

Not only does Easter see an increase in cars on the road but also boats, caravans and trailers. Ensure you maintain a safe following distance and be patient when travelling behind slow-moving vehicles and/or boat trailers.

Pre-trip vehicle check

Before you head off, it’s important you check your vehicle so you have a smooth drive and arrive at your destination safely. Here are some pre-trip vehicle checks:

• Conduct a safety check on tyres, brakes, suspension, lights and restraints.
• Check your tyre pressure – under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption and effect on-road performance. Tyre pressure information can be found on a placard located on the right front door aperture, or in the vehicle operators handbook. Correctly inflated tyres will also improve your fuel economy.
• Make sure your headlights, indicators and brake lights are working.
• Check your windscreen for any chips or cracks as bumpy roads could cause a chip to turn into a full windscreen replacement.
• Check fluid levels including oil, coolant, and windscreen washer fluid.

Remember, not everything is open over the long weekend, so make sure you are prepared before you set off.

In the event of any accident

If you are involved in a road accident, it’s important you follow the correct procedure. These simple steps will assist you at the scene of an accident:

• Ensure the safety of yourself and others first. Do not attempt to move any injured passengers from a vehicle.
• Do not admit liability or offer payment to any party concerned.
• Give your name, address, licence number, registration number and insurance details to the other people involved in the accident. Obtain similar details from them.
• Be sure to gather sufficient information from the parties involved and any witnesses present. Make sure you obtain witness contact details.
• Take notes and photos of the accident scene, cross streets, the direction of travel, vehicle damage and so on as this information will help you complete an insurance claim form.
• Police reporting guidelines may vary from state to state. Make sure you are aware of your requirements.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable Easter break.

This article has been published for information purposes only.  Information on safe driving is available at various State and Territory websites.  Any opinions, views of contributors, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on information available at time of writing, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in this article.  ORIX Australia Corporation Limited ABN 79 002 992 681

The cost of fuelling your fleet is one of your biggest business expenses – and fluctuating fuel prices are making cost management that much harder. The good news is there are steps you can take to better manage fuel costs.

Here are some simple things your drivers can do to significantly improve fuel efficiency.

Slow down

Going easy on the accelerator can boost fuel efficiency. Avoiding aggressive driving, like hard accelerations and braking, can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 40 per cent¹. In city driving, about half a vehicle’s energy goes into acceleration. By using smooth and gradual acceleration, drivers will move into a higher gear faster, which is more efficient.

On the other side of the equation, gentle deceleration – or avoiding hard braking – can save fuel. When a driver takes their foot off the accelerator, the flow of fuel to the engine automatically stops, which then idles. Every little bit adds up to significant savings.

Many new vehicles have a ‘stop/start’ feature which turns off the engine while stationary to avoid idling, helping reduce needless usage. You should encourage your drivers to use this feature.

Keep to a steady speed

Maintaining a steady speed on highways is more fuel efficient than constantly tapping the break and then re-accelerating. Using cruise control is a good way to keep track of speed – but it can be less efficient when driving around hilly areas.

Keeping to the posted speed limits can also prevent burning excess fuel – not to mention expensive fines.

Reduce the weight in the vehicle

The heavier the vehicle, the harder the engine has to work. While it may be convenient to carry a full load at all times, taking out non-essential items lightens the load and helps the vehicle run more efficiently.

Keep maintenance up-to-date

Keeping to maintenance schedules can also help keep vehicles operating in optimal condition. Issues that affect fuel consumption can be found and fixed before they cause significant problems. This is why ORIX keeps fleet managers and their drivers up-to-date on their required maintenance schedules through SMS communications and via our App and customer reports.

There are a few simple things your drivers can do to improve mileage, including regular oil changes and using the appropriate oil. Replacing a dirty air filter can also increase mileage by up to 10 per cent².

Check tyre pressure

Ensure tyres are properly inflated and in good condition – under-inflated tyres may cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 10 per cent³. Check tyre pressure monthly, making sure the pressure is the same in all tyres and is at the correct level for the vehicle. The vehicle’s operating manual should provide a guide for optimal inflation.

Likewise, your drivers should regularly check tyres are in good condition with plenty of tread and even wear. If tyres are wearing unevenly, they should arrange to check the vehicle’s alignment and have the tyres rotated.

Reduce air conditioning use

Running the aircon uses a lot of energy. On a warm day, reducing the temperature, even a degree or two, can significantly impact efficiency. If you’re looking for ways to keep vehicles cooler, window tinting can reduce the impact of the harsh Australian sun.

Maximise fuel card use

Encouraging your drivers to use their company supplied fuel cards will not only save you money via discounted fuel, it will also contribute to fuel efficiency reports. ORIX’s fuel card data provides fleet managers with total fuel spend (by litres and by type) and benchmarking data on fuel usage (by driver and by vehicle). Fuel exception reports can build on the fuel card data and ensure cards are being used correctly – that is, only for the allocated vehicle.

Tracking driver behaviour and training for efficiency and safety

Keeping track of the data on driver behaviour can help you understand and identify efficiencies. ORIX’s telematics platform ORIX i, can track how vehicles are driven, including harsh or excessive driving, providing recommendations to improve efficiency.

Driver training can help drivers get more from their vehicles by addressing and correcting poor road behaviours, which can improve fuel efficiency and safety.

After all, for staff driving fleet vehicles, their vehicle is often their office. In the same way staff are expected to treat the office with respect, they’re expected to treat their vehicle with respect – and they should be trained to use it appropriately.

Working together starts here

Overall, the simplest way to improve fuel efficiency is to encourage drivers to back off the accelerator, drive less aggressively and keep maintenance up to date. At a time when fuel prices are at an all-time high, simple changes can help improve efficiency and save money now and into the future.

To learn more about how we can help you make better use of fuel consumption data, contact us on 1300 652 886 or info@orix.com.au

This article has been published for information purposes.  Any opinions, views of contributors, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on information available at time of writing, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in this article.  ORIX Australia Corporation Limited ABN 79 002 992 681

[1] Eartheasy, ‘Fuel Efficient Driving’, n.d. accessed 4 April 2022.

[2] Safe Motorist, ‘How to Get the Best Gas Mileage out of Your Car’ n.d. accessed 4 April 2022.

[3] Vehicles Technologies Office, ‘Fact #983, June 26, 2017: Proper Tire Pressure Saves Fuel’ 26 June 2017, accessed 4 April 2022.

Beehive Industries has been on a mission to end loneliness in Sydney’s inner-city for almost 50 years. They are a not-for-profit organisation supporting more than 250 seniors who are long-term unemployed, living with a disability and rely on the support of social enterprise operations.

A key part of Beehive Industries is providing seniors (aka beehivers) free transport from housing commission estates across Sydney to their hive facility. The current community transport service of Beehive is completely unfunded, which is where ORIX can help.

ORIX is proud to announce our next advancement in community initiatives by supporting Beehive Industries to expand their transport needs and bring more seniors together in a socially inclusive environment where they can connect and participate in local activities.

ORIX has sponsored an ex-leased Toyota HiAce Van that will transport their beehivers across the Sydney Metro to increase the number of seniors in the centre daily and will be used for their everyday food relief runs.

Thinking of introducing or increasing your electric vehicle fleet? Now could be the time to save on Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).

The Government has passed the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022¹ to exempt (non-luxury) electric vehicles from Fringe Benefits Tax.

The exemption applies to:

​​​​What does this mean?

​​​​​​While we provide leasing, we do not provide financial advice. Businesses or employees should seek financial or tax advice as everybody’s circumstances are different.

For those customers currently enjoying the ORIX Novated Leasing Product or interested in utilising this for their staff, there are marketing materials you can share with your employees on your intranet to help them explore taking advantage of the savings. Please contact marketing@orix.com.au for more information.

You can find more details on FBT exemption here. To learn more about how this exemption on FBT could benefit, talk to your ORIX Relationship Manager today.

For anything else, you can contact us on:
​​​​​​Novated Leasing – 1300 363 993 | Fleet – 1300 652 886

¹ Source: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6876

This email is produced by ORIX Australia Corporation Limited, ABN 79 002 992 681. It is intended to provide general information about our products and services. This information is correct at the time of publication but may change without notice. The contents do not constitute financial or taxation advice and should not be relied upon as such. The calculations use a number of assumptions (including that the employee has no other existing salary packaged item) to provide an estimate of the Novated Lease cost and the potential savings from entering into such a lease which are set out in ORIX’s Terms & Conditions found at www.orix.com.au. * Conditions and charges apply for all optional extras. These are estimated maximum percentage savings to be used as a guide only and will vary according to each specific employee Novated Lease. Fleet discounts will depend on vehicle and product type and can change without notice. November 2022.

Sydney, Australia – November 3, 2022: Electric vehicles are shaping the future of last-mile delivery* around the globe – but Australia is still dragging the chain. And today local last-mile delivery specialist ANC and ORIX Australia Corporation Limited (ORIX), a leading rental, leasing and fleet management company, announced a strategic partnership to show how fleet electrification can be achieved.

The two companies hosted a special EV event in Sydney, attended by ANC clients, business leaders, EV suppliers and Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen. The purpose was to announce the partnership, talk about how ANC and ORIX are overcoming challenges to the take up of EVs, and to unveil several of ANC’s newest fleet EVs – including an Australian first: a specially-designed e-TukTuk. Manufactured by BILITI Electric and imported exclusively by Brisbane company EMoS, the e-TukTuks are redefining last-mile deliveries in urban environments.

“We’re very excited to be pioneering these new 3-wheel EVs in Australia,” says ANC CEO Joe Sofra. “They’re being used globally – including by IKEA – and will be launched into the US market in the coming months. Initially our two e-TukTuks – which we’ve nicknamed BUDDe – will be deployed to carry out deliveries for IKEA Australia’s Tempe store for a 3-month trial to prove concept.”

Sofra calls the partnership with ORIX a “game-changing pathway to the take-up of electric vehicles”, particularly by its delivery professionals. “There’s a global revolution underway as the last-mile delivery sector accelerates fleet electrification,” he says. “EV fleets are a perfect match for our sector. And while they’re still in a nascent stage in Australia, we didn’t want to sit idly by and wait for the perfect economic environment to accelerate our EV goals. We now urge other last-mile delivery providers to take up the challenge.”

ANC now has 10 EVs in its fleet – vans, trucks and the two TukTuks – with firm plans for more. The partnership with ORIX aims to improve access to EVs on a capital light basis and demonstrates how the cost of adopting EV vs brown fleets is comparable, with rates more economical than renting a vehicle. It also shows that the value proposition mimics a fully operable lease, with no maintenance, tyres, or servicing cost to the driver.

“It’s still early days for EVs as fleet vehicles and there are still many challenges, however, partnering with like-minded organisations helps overcome barriers and creates greener, more sustainable outcomes,” says Reggie Cabal, ORIX CEO. “We are helping remove the complexity for delivery professionals to adopt EVs by aligning vehicles, infrastructure, energy and optimisation into a single, practical plan for a decarbonised fleet future.

“We’re also leveraging short-term rental solutions, which allows clients to undertake pilots to test the operational practicalities of EV and hybrid vehicles in their business operations. Having the right fleet partner working with you to build a cost-effective framework simply makes the transition smoother.”

ANC’s own EV journey was driven by its relationship with one of the company’s key customers, IKEA, which has a global goal to provide all its customers with zero-emission deliveries by 2025.

“As a purpose-led business, our ambition is to enable our customers to live better everyday lives within the limits of the planet, which extends to actively reducing emissions across all our operations,” says Mirja Viinanen, IKEA Australia CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer. “IKEA led the way as the first Australian home furnishing retailer to implement home deliveries with electric vehicles. Now, we are striving towards an ambitious goal of 100% zero-emissions delivery by 2025.

“We are committed to this goal and want to bring the retail sector on the journey with us, so we are calling on the government to help us get there by introducing targeted incentives and charging infrastructure for last-mile delivery and logistics to boost the uptake of EVs.”

* In a product’s journey from warehouse shelf to the back of a truck, to a customer doorstep, the “last mile” of delivery is the final step of the process – the point at which the package finally arrives at the buyer’s door.

When vehicles are key to your business operations, you can’t afford errors when building customised vehicles for your fleet. Having an experienced commercial fleet team to guide you in determining vehicle specifications and helping you coordinate complex body builds, can make all the difference in maximising on-the-job efficiencies.

Here at ORIX, our Commercial Fleet Operations Team is critical in supporting customers in building bespoke vehicles with equipment that meets the demands of their transport needs.

Michael Mates has been with ORIX for over 25 years and is a fully qualified and experienced diesel motor mechanic, who brings a first-hand understanding of the issues confronting vehicles and equipment. Michael liaises with manufacturers and agents on behalf of customers regarding warranty and parts and in conjunction with manufacturers and agents, he inspects and delivers new equipment. Michael has coordinated many complex repairs and can provide recommendations on managing your commercial fleet.

Watch this video to learn how Michael is key in supporting our customers in building and managing a commercial fleet that meets their needs.