Telwater Sheds 100
Telwater, manufacturer of the well-known Quintrex and Stacer brands, has laid off 100 staff, a consequence of a slower economy, high fuel and food costs and hesitant consumers.
'Damien Duncan, Telwater's sales and marketing manager.'
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Based on the Gold Coast at Coomera, the company said retrenchments were across all departments, including manufacturing, administration and sales and marketing The company will now operate with a staff of 200 and says no further sackings are planned.
According to Sales & Marketing Manager, Damien Duncan, Telwater boat orders had dropped by 25% over the past year.
'We have had to restructure in light of the global economic market,' he said. 'We have to cater for the current market and therefore we have had to restructure and downsize.
'Quintrex is dominant in the marketplace and in our peak we were making 14,000 boats and distributing them to 130 dealers. We are confident in keeping the brand going and going strong."
Comparison with Riviera was not valid, said Duncan. 'Our boats range from $2000 to $80,000 and the majority of our buyers are blue and white collar workers. Right now, these people are under financial strain from interest rates, the cost of fuel and food and there is not the same amount of spare cash around.
'Throughout Australia, our dealers have had to downsize and therefore our orders have dropped.
'It is not a good time for the marine industry, but hopefully with interest rates going down the market will bounce back up and we will be ready for it.'
by Jeni Bone 
BALDIVIS, WA
