A longstanding Australian family-owned mattress manufacturer with a history spanning over a century has entered voluntary administration, marking a somber day for the industry. P.A Lucas & Co administrators, Peter Lucas and Damien Lau, have taken charge of the proceedings at A.H. Beard as confirmed by an official announcement.
The distressing news hit hard for employees, with reports indicating that company chairman Garry Beard was visibly upset while addressing staff at the firm’s location in south-west Sydney. The company’s downfall has been attributed to various challenges, including a decline in consumer spending on non-essential items, escalating production expenses, and intense competition from lower-priced imported mattresses.
The Australian Made Campaign expressed deep concern over the situation, with Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro expressing sadness and worry for the country’s manufacturing sector. Lazzaro emphasized A.H. Beard’s long-standing heritage and its embodiment of local craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability.
Highlighting the strain faced by local manufacturers due to rising costs and increased competition from imports, Lazzaro stressed the importance of supporting Australian-made products to safeguard local jobs and preserve iconic businesses like A.H. Beard. The sentiment was echoed by industry stakeholders, including Kylie Roberts-Frost, Chief Executive of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, who described the event as a sorrowful day for the sector.
Despite entering administration, the fifth-generation company is expected to continue operations while exploring alternative solutions. With a workforce of approximately 340 employees in Australia and 34 in New Zealand, A.H. Beard has been guided by members of the Beard family, including Garry Beard, his brother Allyn, and Garry’s son Matthew, who serves as the chief executive.
A.H. Beard, known for producing up to 10,000 mattresses weekly, serves prominent retailers such as David Jones, Myer, and Harvey Norman, maintaining a significant presence in the market.