Bellambi canoe manufacturer Australis Canoes is bucking the trend of regional businesses going under in tough financial conditions, continuing to trade despite the troubled economy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The long-standing business has avoided the temptation to sell cheap, imported gear to make money, instead focusing on producing Australian-made, quality kayaks and canoes.
The plan is clearly working, as the business has survived the tough times, where others have struggled.
The Mercury understands Fairy Meadow-based canoe and kayak supplier Desert Kayaks is experiencing trading troubles. Nearly 70 Desert canoes and kayaks were auctioned off on Saturday.
South Coast Auctions confirmed the auction was for "unclaimed goods out of storage" and included dozens of canoes and kayaks, along with inflatable canoes, kayak trolleys and car racks.
The Mercury attempted to contact the online store for comment, but without success.
Australis Canoes co-owners David and John Slattery said the industry had been hit hard by the economic downturn, forcing many kayak retailers to shut their doors.
"What's happened is that many people are bringing stuff in from China. They're shipping it in themselves and trading it themselves and it's just destroyed the market," John said.
"The wholesalers really lose out; we manufacture and then sell to other retailers but about 50 of those shops have gone ... the only reason we're still here is the manufacturing work."
The brothers have been making canoes and kayaks for nearly 30 years, operating out of their Bellambi factory.
They employ a team of Illawarra-based workers and also aim to support other regional businesses.
"We do create a lot of jobs because we try to buy most of our product locally," John said.
"We get a lot from Macks Rubber in Unanderra and Berkeley Engineering. We just try to keep it as local as we can."
John conceded the pair have had to make changes to their operation to survive, focusing on bigger operators like school groups, as well as individuals, and cutting costs.
David believes their after-sale service has set them apart from other businesses.
"We don't just want to sell a kayak, we want to show people how to paddle in it. It really makes the difference," he said.
