Aussie camping company Essential Caravans enters voluntary administration
The business behind thousands of Aussie caravans still has orders to fill.
A major Australian caravan manafacturer has entered voluntary administration.
The Victoria-based Essential Caravans has supplied more than 7000 caravans to camping enthusiasts over more than a decade, and the business still has orders to be completed.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Essential Caravans has collapsed and entered administration, placing more than 200 jobs at risk.
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Creditors are set to meet online on Friday October 30 to discuss debts owed, according to ASIC.
The business has expanded since it opened in 2015, starting with a factory in Campbellfield in Melbourne’s north, that it quickly outgrew.
Essential Caravans relocated to a larger factory in the Campbellfield area in 2016, upsized again in the area in 2017, and then moved again to its largest, and current, factory in Somerton.
The business is now aiming for an operational restructuring that would consolidate manufacturing operations to a facility in Pakenham.
There are about 200 people employed at Essential Caravans, and 7NEWS.com.au has contacted the company and administrators for comment on how staff may be affected by the undertakings.
“The Administrators and management team are conducting an immediate review of all current customer caravan builds and delivery schedules to minimise disruption to buyers and dealership partners,” Essential Caravans said in a statement.
“It is the intention that all current orders will be fulfilled.”
The company prides itself not only on “unmatched knowledge” of caravan manafacturing, but also on warranty and customer support, according to the Essential Caravans website.
Customers with concerns regarding existing orders or vehicle support, have been urged to contact customer support.
The voluntary administration comes less than a year after one of Queensland’s largest caravan makers, Zone RV, collapsed leaving about 200 customers — who had paid deposits — in limbo, and hundreds of staff without a job.
ASIC is currently investigating the director of Zone RV, David Biggar, amid allegations the company was operating while insolvent.
“We understand these are difficult circumstances for creditors including those who had paid for caravans that were not completed,” an ASIC spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au on Wednesday.
Originally published on 7NEWS
