Global livestock handling manufacturer to close Australian site
by Lara WebsterAn established livestock handling supplier has confirmed its Australian manufacturing site at Tamworth, NSW, will cease operations as the company "consolidates" its global manufacturing operations.
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The company was started in 1988 by the Firth family with the "intention to bring safe, efficient, economical equipment to the livestock producer".
Arrowquip has expanded to be one of the largest cattle-handling equipment manufacturers, with sites set up in North America in 2003.
Arrowquip global CEO Andrew Firth said Australian farmers would still be supported by the company.
"To stay competitive in a changing manufacturing landscape and to keep delivering safe, efficient handling equipment to the producers who feed the world, we are consolidating our global manufacturing operations, and our Australian operations are part of that change," he said.
"Our customers will continue to be supported through our 1800 number, customer service team, parts supply and full warranty coverage.
"Australia is where Arrowquip's story began, starting at our family farm in NSW nearly 40 years ago, and Australian producers remain central to our business.
"Arrowquip is in Australia for the long term, and we're excited to continue to serve our hard-working producers around the country."
A source at the Tamworth site confirmed that employees were in the process of closing the site, which was expected to shut permanently within the next four weeks.
They said 15 employees would be impacted by the closure, but Arrowquip was working with them to find other manufacturing jobs.
They also noted that a number of increasing pressures and cheaper imported steel products had put pressure on manufacturing.
"Rising production costs and competing with cheaper, imported products have made operations difficult," they said.
"There is also new legislation regarding welding and fumes, which would require a substantial upgrade to our welding facility."
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