When embattled manufacturing business Ballarat Windows and Doors finally went into administration in October, more than 100 builders, suppliers, homeowners and employers were left out of pocket and empty handed.
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But just five months later a new business has risen from the ashes of the Ring Road warehouse, with Cranbourne-based operators Stock Windows and Doors stepping in to fill the void.
The new business, Stylerite Windows and Doors, has been operating out of the Wendouree factory since November and has managed to retain some of the staff who were left unemployed after the collapse of the previous company.
The business currently has 15 Ballarat based employees and is aiming to hire more factory workers in the near future to keep up with demand.
Stylerite director Daniel Morrison said he had been overwhelmed by the support the new business had received from Ballarat builders who had lost out at the hands of the previous company.
“The Ballarat builders have been so receptive to us,” Mr Morrison said.
“They want to promote local business because these builders usually buy from Melbourne but they’ve come back on board.
“From a business perspective it’s a great spot because the growth here is phenomenal, and the houses that are getting built here are not just little houses...there’s a lot of money in Ballarat.”
The growth comes just two months after liquidators revealed creditors of Ballarat Windows and Doors and sister company Lontana were unlikely to receive any return. The two companies had amassed a bill of more than $1.7 million, which liquidators said “may increase if creditors submit additional claims”.
“It appears that potential illegal phoenix activity has been engaged in whereby assets of the Company have been transferred for less than fair value to defeat creditors,” a creditor statement read.
Mr Morrison said he was still trying to reach out to builders and suppliers to let them know Stylerite was an entirely new entity.
The company ran a Master Builders meeting earlier this week as well as an official launch on Thursday night.
“It’s still not out there that it’s completely different,” Mr Morrison said.
