A prominent luxury caravan manufacturer on Queensland's Sunshine Coast has abruptly entered voluntary administration, casting a shadow over the Christmas plans of hundreds of customers and employees.
Administrators Appointed as Business Folds
Zone Manufacturing Pty Ltd, which traded as Zone RV from its base in Coolum Beach, is now under the control of administrators Rahul Goyal, Catherine Margaret Conneely, and Stephen Earel from the firm Cor Cordis. The appointment was officially recorded by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
A spokeswoman for Cor Cordis confirmed the administrators' primary goal is to preserve value for all stakeholders, which includes approximately 250 employees, along with customers and suppliers. Their immediate task is to assess the strategic options for the future of the business.
"Zone RV will continue to trade in a substantially reduced capacity," the spokeswoman stated. The company's staff were informed of the devastating news on Monday, just weeks before the holiday period.
Dreams Dashed and Life Savings Lost
The collapse has left customers facing significant financial losses and shattered retirement dreams. One customer, 75-year-old Ray Barbison, revealed he had paid the final balance on his $194,000 caravan mere hours before the company's gates were locked.
"Well it's a life savings. I'm 75, I can't get that money back. I can't go out and earn it," Mr Barbison told 7NEWS. "(I) was going to tour around Australia in it and that sort of thing."
The fallout extends beyond customers to the supply chain. Supplier Robert Cooper said he had recently invested $500,000 in equipment specifically for his contract with Zone RV. "It's a massive downfall for my business," Cooper lamented.
Industry in Crisis as Creditors Meeting Looms
On social media, others shared their dismay, with one person noting they had almost paid a deposit, while another claimed "the writing has been on the wall for months."
The shutdown of Zone RV is not an isolated incident in the Australian recreational vehicle sector. It follows recent struggles for other manufacturers, including Infinity Motorhomes on the Gold Coast, Tango Caravans in Victoria, and Boss Adventure, also on the Gold Coast.
A first meeting of creditors has been scheduled for December 10, where the company's future will be further discussed. 7NEWS sought comment from Zone RV but did not receive a response.
