It has been revealed that a recently-collapsed Victorian caravan builder had massive debts of over $2 million … the latest in a growing list to do so.
The Herald Sun reports that newly filed ASIC documents show Coolaroo-based JCP Group – which traded nationwide as Great Aussie Caravans and Flexi Caravans – left behind more than $2.14m in trade bills.
The caravan builder, which went under back in June, had previously made headlines after being fined $60,000 over an industrial incident in which an employee’s intestine was ruptured when a colleague fired an air compressor into his anus.
As well as outstanding bills owed to WorkCover and the Australian Taxation Office, a string of trade suppliers have also been left empty-handed.
The caravan manufacturer had reportedly amassed significant debt. PIC: RDNE Stock
The Herald Sun reports that these include outdoor retailer Dometic Australia which is owed $194,636, caravan material provider AZQ Wood ($134,007), building materials store Urban Republic ($109,981), and business Oz Tech ($123,207).
Other suppliers still owed money reportedly include caravan makers JB Caravans ($110,673), Equalizer RV ($96,600), and Northern RV Services ($104,906).
And then there are the employees facing a battle to recover a combined $238,822 in unpaid entitlements.
The company has just $33,952 owing to it.
Court-appointed liquidator Andrew MacNeill of SMB Advisory previously told News Corp he was conducting an urgent assessment of the company’s affairs, including customer deposits and outstanding orders.
The Herald Sun says it remains unclear how many, or if any caravan buyers have been left out of pocket by the collapse.
Sadly, several other Australian caravan firms have run into trouble in recent years.
Network RV – which owns Vancraft, Nextgen, and Victory brands, as well as three Fair Dinkum Caravan dealerships – went into administration in June.
And the same month, another Victorian caravan maker, Ourgen RV, was also ordered into liquidation by the state’s Supreme Court.
Last year, Queensland-based Zone RV went into administration, with many customers losing significant amounts of money. However, the brand – which specialises in luxury off-road caravans – was eventually bought by Essential Caravans and is still in production.
Other recent examples of RV firms going to the wall include:
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