Plastics manufacturer, Starmaid Group, has been placed in receivership – the latest of several recent business collapses in the industry.
According to SmartCompany, Starmaid manufactures storage products and uses premium food-grade materials to manufacture plastic houseware and professional products across 50 brands, including Fresh Seal, Clea and Hobbibox.
PPB Advisory has been appointed as receivers and managers over the Starmaid Group, and is calling for expressions of interest in the business.
It's been a difficult 12 months for the manufacturing industry, especially food manufacturing, with a number of companies entering voluntary administration, including confectionery brands Chocolate Fare, and the iconic Darrell Lea, not to mention Gourmet Food Holdings – owner of Rosella.
Windsor Food Factory also announced its collapse earlier this month, closing its Cowra cannery and leaving many employees and local growers shortchanged.
The popular Byron Bay Cookie Company also entered voluntary administration recently, with one disgruntled supplier telling Food mag he's owed $30,000.
The high Australian dollar, cheap imports from overseas and the rising influence of the supermarket duopoly have all been listed as contributing factors to manufacturing's woes.