Source : Perth Now news
A second Aussie caravan company has collapsed within weeks, blaming a $500,000 dispute with financiers.
Maverick Campers and Caravans, which is headquartered in Adelaide and also has bases in Queensland, went into liquidation on Thursday.
In a video posted to the company’s Facebook page, chief executive Matthew Winen said the situation was a “nightmare”, describing a “bombshell dropping” on the company.
“We had no choice but to go into liquidation,” he said.
He said earlier this week financiers had contacted the company saying it would be repossessing all of its caravans.
Mr Winen added that the firm currently had 72 orders in the books, with customers left in limbo, but insisted that it had no debts to staff, suppliers, landlords or the tax office.
“The other retailers in the industry must be nervous because they are all going through financial stress and they see a financier do this,” he said.
“We will be reaching out to customers, particularly those who have paid more than 30 to 40 per cent deposits.”
He added that any customers seeking a refund would need to contact the liquidator.
“As you can imagine the bombshell hit when we thought we were all good. We were absolutely blown away,” Mr Winen added.
It comes just weeks after the collapse of another brand in the caravanning industry, Australian Off Road, which entered voluntary administration last month.
In a statement announcing the Queensland firm’s collapse, founder Steve Budden cited a range of industry factors, including overseas competition and product imitation.
