Arabic version: دائنو «أستراليان أوف رود» مستحق لهم نحو 9 ملايين دولار
According to ABC News, creditors of collapsed Queensland caravan manufacturer Australian Off Road are owed about $9 million, while the business has assets valued at approximately $755,000. The Sunshine Coast company entered administration on September 15 after shutting its doors the week before, ending 26 years of caravan production.
Administrators DVT McLeods disclosed the financial position at the first creditors meeting. Nearly 50 customers could lose $2.25 million in progress payments for unfinished or unbuilt caravans. About 70 employees are owed $2.16 million in wages, superannuation and leave entitlements, while the Australian Tax Office is owed at least $2.72 million and suppliers are owed $1.6 million.
There are 47 customers who paid deposits of up to $120,000, but administrators have physically located only 13 caravan chassis. Customer Sandra Muller, who travelled from regional NSW to the meeting, said she had paid $101,000 toward a caravan whose delivery had been delayed several times.
Administrator Nick Keramos said a sale campaign was under way to seek a buyer and return funds to creditors. If the business and assets cannot be sold together, the administrators intend to auction plant, equipment and stock separately.
Administrators have also written to ASIC concerning decisions made before the collapse. Records show AOR trading names were transferred to related company AOR Holding Co Pty Ltd days before the administration. Mr Keramos said administrators were investigating the transfer, possible deliveries of completed caravans to related parties, assets at another Kunda Park factory, and two shipping containers at the Port of Brisbane.
