Interesting read on future of AU Camper manufacturing

[Bird]

New regulations put heat on small RV manufacturers, says Track Trailer boss

As many as two thirds of existing Australian caravan and camper trailer manufacturers may not survive beyond 2019 under new accountability regulations set to be rolled out from mid this year.
Track Trailer chief Gerard Waldron has some bold if somewhat dire predictions

That’s the prediction of Track Trailer CEO Gerard Waldron, who says the cost and pressure of complying with new ‘Provider’ regulations will drive smaller manufacturers out of business or lead to them being ‘swallowed’ by larger players.

His gloomy predictions come on top of recent news that several long-standing Australian manufacturers have either failed, or are struggling in the current tough market conditions


Ballina-based innovation leader Kimberley Kampers went into voluntary administration on December 7 last year, with company director Bruce Loxton resigning 11 days later. The company has now entered into an agreement to pay employees’ wages and superannuation in full, however unsecured creditors will only get six cents back in every dollar owed by March 31.

Australian premium hard-floor camper icon, Queensland’s Aussie Swag, announced earlier this year that it was closing its doors after 32 years, apparently another victim of cheaper imported campers that have flooded the local market in recent years.

Then, in early March, Atco-Pickering Metal Industries announced that it was putting its former WA-based Pioneer Campers business on the market, despite winning recent awards for its Mitchell hard-shell Tvan lookalike, with CEO, Hymie Jechilevsky citing “increasingly challenging market conditions”.


https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/australian-manufacturers-must-unite-or-die-111866/

[callmejoe]

Interesting read. 1. Thing I'd like to pull out of it is

“The major change that this will bring is that RV ‘Providers’ such as importers and their dealers will now primarily be responsible to ensure that the products they sell are ‘Fit for purpose’, rather than the manufacturer.”

This is 1 area that'll benifit the public. In short if you have a problem you know where to go, know you have rights etc. This hopefully stops the "Oh sorry right bla bla ring this No.  And best if luck.

The low end market has defenitly shaken up the high end market, and with good reason too. People are pay big $$$ ( me included ) on products that being Aussie made should have been miles ahead of the cheap imports. In reality for price etc im starting to think not...

So a shake up would be good. The rubbish will be put in the spot light just as much as the good stuff will shine throu

[gphcald]

The chinese imports have improved hugely over the last number of years, think hyundai 30 years ago and now. The imported campers will do 80-90% of the aussie tracks same as most 4wds. the other 10-20% of tracks are the realm of the high end aussie campers and highly modified 4wds. The build q

[gphcald]

Sorry hit send by mistake, The build quality of the imported stuff has improved and also the accessories or inclusion list has improved. wasn't such a long time ago that camper trailers were a trailer with a tent on the top, now they have as many accessories as you might have at home lighting 240v power, hot water, dedicated kitchens with large fridges, i always will support aussie manufacturing but dollar wise the aussie offerings really are not competitive on most levels.
I am very happy to see the increased accountability for imported campers being enforced, it may drive up prices a bit and improve the quality and give the aussie made ones a more even playing field

just my 2c worth

[gronk]

A lot of the time, everyone bangs on about high Aussie wages spelling the death knell of manufacturers but in reality, if you were making a good quality camper and making a profit out of every sale, unless you were having a big loss in sales, then no amount of foreign makers should worry you.
Good point in case of KK.......apart from the messy divorce and problems we may never know, they made a good product that should have survived any foreign influx !

But the price of these hybrids is insane compared to what you get for your money with a high end caravan. You can't tell me it costs more to build an offroad hybrid of 14ft compared to a 22ft fancy van ??

[lukeycat]

The chinese imports have improved hugely over the last number of years, think hyundai 30 years ago and now. The imported campers will do 80-90% of the aussie tracks same as most 4wds. the other 10-20% of tracks are the realm of the high end aussie campers and highly modified 4wds. The build q

Korean cars are still light years ahead of the Chinese stuff though. I agree about the campers though I'm glad I have an Aussie camper and modified car that can get through those 10-20% of tracks that the others can't heheheh keeps the crowds out.

In regards to KK though pretty sure they are still trading just under new ownership which may have ruffled a few feathers in their dealer network with the agreement with SEQ campers ceasing.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[McGirr]

Imports are here to stay. That’s a fact.

The issue is the caravan industry, being self regulated, has created their own issues with the biggest problem being after sales service. No manufactuer abides by the consumer law, in fact, even the Govt does not abide by their own law.

To be told that you must expect issues when you buy an brand new Australian Caravan / Camper and then you have to hope the manufacturer does not screw you over with their warranty and then denies you your rights under consumer law.

We all complain about imports and say buy Australian but we all deserve the after sales service we expect no matter who the manufacturer is, import or not.

Hopefully the new regulations will improve the industry and weed out the bad manufacturers. Import or not.

When I was in the retail industry I gave better after sales service on a $99 DVD player than what is being offered on a $100k product.

Mark

[Bird]

But the price of these hybrids is insane compared to what you get for your money with a high end caravan.

x googleplex

You can't tell me it costs more to build an offroad hybrid of 14ft compared to a 22ft fancy van ??

But high end caravan doesn't sound as trendy as 'hybrid'

[MDS69]

I don’t get some of these Aussie built campers like KK or Complete Campsite for eg that cost more than a brand new Ranger, Colorado, Hilux etc. When you break down one of these utes into, engineering, tooling, R&D etc then imagine the cost of spare parts like a transmission, brake booster, power window module etc I don’t see the value of the trailer which also has nowhere near the warranty of a motor vehicle. Yes that same analogy goes for my Jayco.

[tomo]

hi
Comes down to economies and greed . If ALL the parts did not cost as much prices would be cheaper .
When I enquired about exterior silicon at the factory  the national parts  manager responded we import container loads all the time  of parts and silicon of course . Same as Used by the parent company in the USA .


Products in Ozzy are to expensive .

Why would I pay more for a camper or even close to a ute price !!!  New ute would win every time !!

[gronk]

[quote

Why would I pay more for a camper or even close to a ute price !!!  New ute would win every time !!
[/quote]

Only trouble is you can't fit a qeen size bed ,kitchen, etc etc in a ute.
And like a ute, you just have to pay the price if you want a 1/2decent one...

[corndog]

hi
Comes down to economies and greed . If ALL the parts did not cost as much prices would be cheaper .
When I enquired about exterior silicon at the factory  the national parts  manager responded we import container loads all the time  of parts and silicon of course . Same as Used by the parent company in the USA .


Products in Ozzy are to expensive .

Why would I pay more for a camper or even close to a ute price !!!  New ute would win every time !!

Not that I am disagreeing with you but we don't live in 1 room shacks and get paid a bowl of rice a day here.

[Bigfish]

Not that I am disagreeing with you but we don't live in 1 room shacks and get paid a bowl of rice a day here.

Exactly...and that is why our manufacturing business will not survive.

[gronk]

Exactly...and that is why our manufacturing business will not survive.

While ever we can produce a better product and people are prepared to pay for it.....it will survive.

What's happening now in China with cheaper products is already changing as the chinese workers are doing what every developing nation does.....expect higher wages.....which is why some chinese companies are already shifting to cheaper countries...Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc..

[corndog]

What's happening now in China with cheaper products is already changing as the chinese workers are doing what every developing nation does.....expect higher wages.....which is why some chinese companies are already shifting to cheaper countries...Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc..

I remember having discussions on this 15 years ago. It's all happening.

[1302toby]

It seems everyone want to earn 120k plus but then spends as little as possible on eBay etc and the money goes offshore..human nature I guess.

[Bird]

It seems everyone want to earn 120k plus but then spends as little as possible on eBay etc and the money goes offshore..human nature I guess.

I've said many times - how often do you see a thread asking what people think of this item and its an ebay link.

**** I'd like to earn 120k

[McGirr]

The topic seems to have gone off track 

Mark

[Bigfish]

The topic seems to have gone off track 

Mark

lol...Its all about being accountable.  I,d love to see all ozzies driving holdens, using only oz steel and wood, all companies based in oz, bunnings to collapse and supercheap to disappear...wont happen...too much profit to be made by buying cheap chinese stuff and flogging it off at exorbitant prices.  Imagine how its gunna be in 20 years!!  Every product made should be backed by a suitable warranty.  Surely an agreement can be made between manufacturer and seller.  If not...dont sell the bloody thing...simples.

[Alan Loy]

Even if you only go by this forum, some sellers have not been accountable for what they sell and IMHO they should be.

BUT we need a level playing field, if these regs are not then they need to be fixed. (one should consider the source of the article)

Compliance issues are an expensive and sometimes impossible minefield for small businesses to deal with.  Campertrailer manufacturers are not alone in this.  I have a lot of simpathy having come from the 2nd most regulated industry (education)

[Humphreythebear]

Some good points raised , keep in mind ‘ imported Campers ‘ are no longer “Cheap “ they are tens of thousands of dollars , and yes they have improved , better inclusions in the last couple of years .
Some consumers care , most don’t , they want to get away , with a flash looking trailer .

Not interested in doing any hard off road touring and often expect that the trailer won’t really “do it “

The reality is most just go to a caravan park , maybe to the Flinders Ranges or the Cape . These are not hard core off road tourers.
The market has changed , the consumers are better informed , like it or not - imports will continue to improve .
But the price will continue to rise , in line with what the market will bear .

Over the next couple of years , the older Patrols,80 series and early Discos will all die of natural causes , the new dual cabs and smarty pants euro trash will become vehicle of choice - 8sp no dual range small capacity turbo diesels .

Not having a go , but the market is changing . The manufacturers will only stem the tide for a short while . As a nation we want high wages ( lifestyle ) definitely want brand name purchases for the lowest price . Thus manufacturers both here and overseas will either find smarter ways to deliver this Wishlist , or cut out the good bits - low weight , well made , cheap ......
Choose two .

[Charlie Brown]

lol...Its all about being accountable.  I,d love to see all ozzies driving holdens, using only oz steel and wood, all companies based in oz, bunnings to collapse and supercheap to disappear...wont happen...too much profit to be made by buying cheap chinese stuff and flogging it off at exorbitant prices.  Imagine how its gunna be in 20 years!!  Every product made should be backed by a suitable warranty.  Surely an agreement can be made between manufacturer and seller.  If not...dont sell the bloody thing...simples.

What a load of rubbish.  Make your mind up as to what you want.

Drive Holdens (overseas owned), use only oz steel and wood (owned by foreign controlled companies)

BUT

Bunnings to collapse and Super Cheap to disappear (both hugely successful Aussie companies, employing Aussies, paying Aussie tax, contributing to local economies, etc. etc).

“Every product should be backed by a suitable warranty”.  Both Bunnings and Super Cheap would have to have the easiest and most flexible warranty policies of any companies I have ever dealt with.  Never, ever, have I had to argue over a return or warranty issue.

Just gotta love the uneducated, redneck comments!

[gronk]

  I have a lot of simpathy having come from the 2nd most regulated industry (education)

This is meant as tongue in cheek......but it's obvious you weren't an english teacher !!   

[Bigfish]

What a load of rubbish.  Make your mind up as to what you want.

Drive Holdens (overseas owned), use only oz steel and wood (owned by foreign controlled companies)

BUT

Bunnings to collapse and Super Cheap to disappear (both hugely successful Aussie companies, employing Aussies, paying Aussie tax, contributing to local economies, etc. etc).

“Every product should be backed by a suitable warranty”.  Both Bunnings and Super Cheap would have to have the easiest and most flexible warranty policies of any companies I have ever dealt with.  Never, ever, have I had to argue over a return or warranty issue.

Just gotta love the uneducated, redneck comments!

 I take offence at being called a redneck but obviously , going from your previous posts and peoples reaction to them you dont mind being a dickhead. I was inferring that it would be great if we all used/owned Australian made/produced  products..We used to import very few cars, steel was locally produced, wood for housing was Aus grown and milled locally in all states. Bunnings and supercheap are full of chinese products that are way over priced and Bunnings actually have many manufacturers working for them in china, not many Aus products  on the shelves.  No more local hardware stores as a result. Their warranties might be good but their prices are ridiculous. Its no wonder e-bay is going gang busters.

[Charlie Brown]

I take offence at being called a redneck but obviously , going from your previous posts and peoples reaction to them you dont mind being a dickhead. I was inferring that it would be great if we all used/owned Australian made/produced  products..We used to import very few cars, steel was locally produced, wood for housing was Aus grown and milled locally in all states. Bunnings and supercheap are full of chinese products that are way over priced and Bunnings actually have many manufacturers working for them in china, not many Aus products  on the shelves.  No more local hardware stores as a result. Their warranties might be good but their prices are ridiculous. Its no wonder e-bay is going gang busters.

I am truely humbled that you have taken such a keen interest in my previous comments on here.

Oh, and let me get you a tissue for the offence I caused you.