A long-standing mattress manufacturer in Australia, with a history spanning over a century, has entered voluntary administration, marking a significant event within the industry. The company, A.H. Beard, is now under the management of administrators Peter Lucas and Damien Lau from P.A Lucas & Co, as officially announced.
The news has deeply affected the employees, with reports indicating that Garry Beard, the chairman, became emotional and shed tears while communicating with the staff at the company’s location in south-west Sydney. The reasons behind the company’s collapse are attributed to various factors, including a decline in consumer spending on non-essential items, escalating production costs, and intense competition from cheaper imported mattresses.
The Australian Made Campaign has expressed profound concern over the situation, with Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro describing it as both sad and worrisome for the country’s manufacturing sector. He emphasized the significance of supporting Australian-made products to safeguard local jobs, enhance industrial capabilities, and ensure the longevity of esteemed businesses like A.H. Beard.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by local manufacturers due to rising costs and competition from imports, the industry has rallied in response to the distressing news. Kylie Roberts-Frost, the chief executive of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, lamented the situation, emphasizing the positive environmental efforts made by A.H. Beard, particularly in sustainability practices.
Despite entering administration, the fifth-generation company is expected to continue operations while exploring alternative solutions. A.H. Beard, which has approximately 340 employees in Australia and an additional 34 in New Zealand, has been led by members of the Beard family, including Garry Beard, his brother Allyn, and Garry’s son Matthew, who serves as the chief executive.
Known for producing up to 10,000 mattresses weekly, A.H. Beard supplies renowned retailers such as David Jones, Myer, and Harvey Norman.
