Allison Boats

[BM]

I was informed a couple of days ago that apparently Allison Boats have gone down.

Their landline number doesn't connect, the fax line says it's been disconnected and an email asking if they were still operating has gone unanswered.

Sadly though this won't be the last to fall before things improve economically in general and then for the marine industry itself.

I would imagine also that the smaller glass builders may be at great risk already.

Banks aren't lending, money is tight and people aren't really spending, particularly on luxuries.

Only those in marine with deep pockets are likely to pull through. Definitely not an industry to be in currently!

[hino310]

I emailed them two weeks ago chasing a part and got a response. It did take a few days to get a response though. I still reckon they should have stuck with their fibreglass boats and maybe just modernised them a bit.

[fisho8]

Just spoke with one of the dealers and they have gone. Shame to see this happen and I do hope any orders do get filled and the owner come out of this ok. Sign of the times unfortunatly.

[Still_Dreamin]

There will be only Chinese imports soon.

[Crunchy]

I'm not passing comment whether its right or wrong but just passing on a comment from another business that is closing down....I was talking to a manufacturer the other day (Not marine industry) and he was saying he was closing down and moving to Indonesia, his comments were that it is simply too bloody hard & too expensive to manufacture here anymore. His gripes were business compliance complexity & cost (Tax, govt departments etc), labour & energy costs. Here labour costs are around $24/Hr per employee, in Indo they will be (Not kidding) $3-$4 / per day per emploee! (But he has to supply food - few dollars a day). Again, not saying its right or wrong just saying it is. Australia is not competitive in manufacturing and our short sighted self serving governments are making it less so every day.

[Giveitacrack]

I'm not passing comment whether its right or wrong but just passing on a comment from another business that is closing down....I was talking to a manufacturer the other day (Not marine industry) and he was saying he was closing down and moving to Indonesia, his comments were that it is simply too bloody hard & too expensive to manufacture here anymore. His gripes were business compliance complexity & cost (Tax, govt departments etc), labour & energy costs. Here labour costs are around $24/Hr per employee, in Indo they will be (Not kidding) $3-$4 / per day per emploee! (But he has to supply food - few dollars a day). Again, not saying its right or wrong just saying it is. Australia is not competitive in manufacturing and our short sighted self serving governments are making it less so every day.

Yep that's right I have spoken to many locals in Bali during my trips there and the basic wage is around $20 AUD per week.

[Si]

thats not good to hear. they made a good boat imo. wonder if northside marine will cut the price of the current allison floor stock.......

[Noelm]

I guess to a point there is a lot of thngs that are leading to the demise of the boating industry in Australia (and please do NOT flame me on this, it is just as I see it) curently the entire industry is doing it tough, why? for a start, people are now shopping much more wisely, and not lashing out on lots of things we once did (boats and motors) the "grey import" that is people getting goods from over seas is getting bigger and bigger by the week, I personally know 3 people that have imported motors, so in effect, my local dealers have not made those sales, then there is the boat import business as well, add to that the electronics side of things, and the retailer is going to suffer, and suffer badly. The manufacturing industry is kind of going the same way, the quality 'family owned" business just can't compete on cheaper imports, regardless of the quality offered, now as I said, I am not saying people shouldn't get their own stuff from the cheapest source, but the long term hurt is going to cut very deep for a very long time to come, I reckon that only a few well run and cashed up boat dealers will survive the next 2 or 3 years, the few that do, will have the entire game sewn up, in my area (from my observation only) there is only perhaps 2 out of 6 dealers that will still be around in the coming couple of years, sad but true, how do we get out of this mess? god only knows.

[Jarrah Jack]

thats not good to hear. they made a good boat imo. wonder if northside marine will cut the price of the current allison floor stock.......

Should do as the warranty would be cactus.

[Noelm]

not 100% sure how the warranty bit stands, I guess it will depend on how the business goes, if they fail and simply "vanish" then maybe warranty could be an issue, if however, they still operate under a diferent model, then perhaps some warranty could be expected, either way, I don't think I would like to be a dealer that had a few in stock, especially if the rumour mill gets working, and people won't go near one.

[fisho8]

thats not good to hear. they made a good boat imo. wonder if northside marine will cut the price of the current allison floor stock.......

They already sold the side console they had there for cost. The other 2 will more than likely go for the same All I know is they want them gone I would say anyone interested make an offer or I would say they will be reposessed and go to auction.

[Noelm]

why would they be repossed? I would think they belong to the dealer (or their finance company)

[fisho8]

Just a guess Noelm you never know what finance companies will do these days if Northside can sell them than that would be the better option as they did fit them out there so It would be in the best interests of everyone involved. I would be more worried about any outstanding orders anyway rather than floor stock for dealers. I do hope everyone gets their boats that were under order.

[No Excuses]

Running my own Motor Body Building business i can sympathise with those companies doing it tough or closing down. Most of the time it is certainly not from bad management (though sometimes it is) but the sheer costs of operating. It would make anyones eyes water at the amount of money that a manufacturer has to make to cover costs before he puts a dollar in their pocket. Unfortunately things are not going to improve for many years to come so expect more closures.

[hilta1]

Guys, we are the main cause why the boating industry and many others are on there knees!, Like it or not we as Australians demand the hourly rate we are paid but when it comes to parting with that same money we refuse to pay the amount Australian companies require for ther product, therfore we look at buying parts, motors, boats or whatever from overseas! How many time have we heard on this forum alone that someone is bringing in an outboard or a boat or whatever because the local product is to dear, and yes i have been guilty in the past as well, but recently have had a rethink and make sure that i have been supporting local business, mind you half the stuff we buy local is still made oversea anyway!!! As long as the Australian company isnt blatently ripping us off it is probly time we started supporting them??? As I said weve got guys working in mines and good jobs that are prepared to take big money and its time we are prepared to parse some of the money on so our country can survive at the standard that we expect. Just my thoughts and dont mean to preach to anyone but see what you guys think???