A DOWNTURN in demand and skyrocketing operational costs will force one of Orange’s oldest family businesses to close its doors at the end of the month.
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G & C Manufacturing, which makes trailers, horse floats and ute and truck tray bodies, has been operating since 1964, however last week administrators were brought in to help wind down the company.
The closure will cost 24 people their jobs.
Matthew Goodacre, who runs the business alongside his father Allan, said the closure was bad news not only for his family but also the people of Orange.
“It’s a significant loss, no doubt about that,” he said.
“It means the largest stockist of trailer parts in the area is no longer available to offer parts at the competitive price we have always offered.”
Matthew said like many other small companies, business had been slow recently.
“We’ve also had a 69 per cent increase in electricity costs in the past 12 months,” he said.
Matthew said while usage hadn’t gone up during that time, the increase was purely due to a jump in the kilowatt per hour rate charge.
Matthew said administrators retrenched 10 staff last Monday with the remaining 14 staff still working to fulfil existing orders.
“The staff here are working hard to finalise all the work in progress,” he said.
Matthew said many staff were already aware the company was struggling so last Monday’s announcement may not have come as a surprise.
“When we cease trading we’ll liquidate,” he said.
Matthew said at the end of the month customers would be able to purchase items at a greatly reduced rate.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au