After fighting to remain open, the century-old Australian-owned Alvey Reels is set to shut its doors due to cost pressures and the lack of supplies needed to manufacture their handmade fishing reels.
Founded in 1920 by Charles Alvey, the angling company stayed in family hands with his sons Glenn and Bruce until 2018, when Con Athans bought into the business as a majority shareholder.
Mr Athans said due to supply chain issues brought on by COVID and the lack of manufacturing in Australia, it was too difficult to remain open.
"It's tough for the whole angling community and it's a really difficult decision," he said.
"After 2018, through innovation and new product lines there was a recovery but the impacts of COVID have been extremely difficult to overcome along with drastic cost increases.
He said specific materials were needed for the reels to be handmade in their factory at Carole Park, west of Brisbane.
"From our perspective, manufacturing is so difficult in Australia, and it needs to come back to automation, which is something we couldn't do with Alvey, it's a completely handmade product," Mr Athans said.
"Here in Australia, we need to not be relying on overseas components and materials.
Six weeks left for brand
The company considered a number of options to stay viable, including moving operations overseas.
"Alvey is Alvey and if it's not made here in Australia with trusted values that we know the product has, then it's not our product and it would've been difficult to do it any other way," Mr Athans said.
"One of the values of our reels is the reliability and durability of the reels."
The company plans to continue manufacturing for the next six weeks.
"If we have raw materials, we might be able to keep some staff on until we exhaust those materials, but I can't see it being past the 30th of June," Mr Athans said.
'It's sad to see where they're heading'
Labor Senator for Queensland Murray Watt said the newly elected Labor government would "revitalise" manufacturing to help businesses like Alvey Reels.
"The Liberals talked a big game on manufacturing but were never there when local firms needed them," he said.
"We'll set up the National Reconstruction Fund to support projects that create well-paid, secure jobs, drive regional development and invest in our sovereign capability.
"We want to see more jobs in more industries and help local manufacturing firms survive and grow.
"By rebuilding manufacturing, we can protect Australian firms from future supply chain interruptions like those Alvey and other firms have experienced."
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the state Labor government was looking at initiatives to become more competitive and encourage local manufacturing.
"Since COVID that's what I've been hearing about getting our produce overseas and materials back into the country as well," he said.
"My father handed his wooden Alvey reel to me showing its longevity and I own two fibreglass reels myself – it's sad to see where they're heading."
