[Peetwo]

As reported on the ABC it would seem "The noble Art of Embuggerance" has had the desired effect.

Another casualty of CAsA's determination to stamp out whatever is left of the Aviation Industry, Jabiru is closing its engine manufacturing shop.

The embuggerance continues with an operator from the far north, who had the temerity to complain of their treatment, is now faced with a hostile Audit, and we all know where that is headed.

Dick Smith is again proved right, get out of the industry while you still have a shirt left.

What say you - Senator O'Sullivan? Qld happy with job loss, tax loss, export loss, business loss, credibility loss - No holidays in Montreal for those employees at government expense is there.  Shame, shame, shame.

thorny - ..Another casualty of CAsA's determination to stamp out whatever is left of the Aviation Industry, Jabiru is closing its engine manufacturing shop...

Slight correction to the TB statement, courtesy the ABC:

Aviation manufacturer closure a sign of the times, industry insider says

By Kallee Buchanan

Posted Mon at 3:42pmMon 10 Oct 2016, 3:42pm

Photo: The CAMit factory in Bundaberg was the largest of its kind in the region. (ABC Rural: Kallee Buchanan)

The closure of an aviation manufacturer in Bundaberg has left the fate of about 20 workers unknown.

CAMit was established in 1986 and was the largest factory of its kind in the region.
It used computer-aided manufacturing to build aero engines and parts that were used in recreational aircraft such as Jabiru, which are also made in Bundaberg.

A company spokeswoman confirmed the closure, but declined to comment further, saying it was a "very sad day".

While it was not clear why the business folded, industry insiders said it was a sign of how difficult it was to be in manufacturing in Australia at the moment.

Closure shows challenges manufacturers face

Jabiru Aircraft business manager Susan Woods said many in aviation had faced challenging trading conditions.

"Because we have such a small size to our market, unlike the motor industry and other industries, our small size means that we have to just do everything very carefully," she said.

"Particularly the aircraft that we have are boys' toys, so they are definitely a luxury item.

"As soon as there is any downturn in the economy, they're one of the first things to drop off the market."

Ms Woods said there was an enormous amount of competition in Australia, with a lot of foreign imports coming into the country.

"That also makes a lot of challenges for us," she said.

Ms Woods said Jabiru would have to transition to a new supplier if CAMit was no longer able to provide parts, but the combined effect of the global financial crisis and a high Australian dollar meant demand was suppressed, and there would be little disruption for customers.

"There is a lot of manufacturing capacity out there because of the decline in the industry, with the mining industry too, so that also made more manufacturing capacity available," she said.

"It will be a transition, but at the moment the demand is very, very low, so it won't be too difficult to overcome."

Diversification helps cope with downturn

Other aviation manufacturers in the region, such as Microair Avionics, have already diversified into other industries to cope with the downturn.

Ms Woods said despite the news about CAMit, there had been signs confidence was returning to the industry, at a recent air show in Narromine.

She said it was important manufacturing was supported in the region.

"It provides a lot to the local economy, so it is important in the area, and fortunately in Bundaberg we have a very pro-aviation council who work hard to develop this industry," she said.

"We do need to overcome this and we will overcome it as we have overcome very many other challenges throughout the 27-year history of Jabiru.
"It will just be another challenge."

MTF...P2