A major caravan manufacturer has collapsed into administration, leaving hundreds of customers and employees in limbo weeks before Christmas.
Zone RV makes luxury off-road vans out of its base in Coolum, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Employees arriving at work on Monday morning were informed of the news and sent home.
The ABC understands about 250 staff members are owed entitlements such as holiday pay.
A spokesperson for administrators Cor Cordis said they were conducting an “urgent review” after being appointed to try to salvage the business.
The caravans are locked behind a gate at Zone RV. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)
“Their primary objective is to preserve value for all stakeholders, including approximately 250 employees [plus] customers and suppliers, and to determine the strategic options available for the business moving forward,” the spokesperson said.
“Our immediate priority is to assess all viable options that maximise outcomes for all stakeholders while exploring avenues for a sustainable future for the brand,” administrator Rahul Goyal said.
Zone RV will continue trading in a “substantially reduced capacity”, the spokesperson said.
If you know more about this story, contact Josh Dye at dye.josh@abc.net.au.
Customers ‘angry, let down’
Ray and Barb Davidson are among those who have paid but not yet collected their caravan.
The couple drove up from Warragul to pick up their van and said they were told on Monday morning to pay the remaining $40,000 balance.
They drove to the bank to transfer the funds, then returned to Zone RV only to find the gates locked.
Ray and Barb Davidson are angry they paid a final $40,000 payment only hours before the company collapsed. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Dylan Morris)
“[I’m feeling] angry and let down … it’s very disheartening,” Mr Davidson said.
“They took me over to my van and said, ‘There it is, finished. You’ll be out there getting the handover on Wednesday, just put the last payment in the account and we’ll be fine.’
“It seems dishonest, but I don’t know whether the staff here knew what was going on.
“I’m very disappointed. I’ve just travelled 2,000 kilometres to get this.
“I have to converse with the administrator, I suppose, to see what’s happening.
“As far as I’m concerned, I own that caravan. I bought it. It’s registered in my name, I believe.”
The ABC spoke to another four customers outside the Coolum premises.
A Sydney couple had paid $270,000 and were due to collect their caravan next week, while another couple had driven from Orange to purchase a van on Monday.
An initial meeting of creditors has been set for December 10.
Zone RV founder and director David Biggar was contacted for comment.
In 2023, the company was awarded a $1.16 million Queensland government grant for the country’s largest 3D printer.
Calls and emails to Zone RV went unanswered on Monday, while the company’s Facebook page is no longer active.