ANOTHER long-standing Ballarat business has gone into administration, leaving at least another 20 people uncertain about their futures.
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While management of manufacturing firm Brimarco moved quickly to reassure the business going into administration was only a temporary glitch, for many staff the feeling of uncertainty will still remain.
The Wendouree-based Brimarco custom-builds coaches such as booze buses and rigs for companies like Mercedes-Benz and Specialized.
One Brimarco worker said approximately 20 staff were told Monday morning they were out of a job. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission listed Brimarco as under “external administration”.
Unfortunately, business uncertainty is nothing new in Ballarat, with many local organisations downsizing and restructuring. And Brimarco’s story is just one of several in recent times.
Brimarco’s woes are the latest blow for Ballarat workers, with Telstra and IBM slashing staff in recent months, and ABN Electrical and Wood ‘n’ Energy going under.
These people are the bread and butter of our community. They are husbands and wives, parents, home owners with mortgages – they are the customers of other Ballarat businesses.
Without jobs, and with winter knocking at the region’s door, life for those affected and their families is only going to get tougher.
Without a regular income, these families will need to tighten up their spending, whether that be cutting back on essential items, not using their heating as much, and spending less on food and clothing.
That, in effect, will result in a catch 22 situation for other businesses, which, in turn, will also suffer a downturn in money coming through their doors.
Keeping competitive, particularly with overseas companies, and looking at ways to diversify the business are some ways for companies to keep their head above water in bad times.
But buying local is one of the most important ways for Ballarat companies to remain viable.
So, you may be able to save a few dollars by buying online, but think about the local jobs you may be affecting before pushing send on the email button for that dress, those pairs of shoes, those games ... from overseas.
