Camping Trade World – Issue 06

AUSTRALIA DOING BUSINESS WITH...
Photo: Oztent
ECONOMY IN FOCUS
Australia is a highly
developed economy that
is estimated to be among
the 12 largest in the world
by GDP. The country
has told a story of long
and steady growth and
prosperity – it actually set a
record for the longest run of
uninterrupted GDP growth
in the developed world in
March 2017, recording 103
consecutive quarters of
growth. Despite its historic
links with western Europe
and its ‘western’ culture,
the country is heavily
dependent financially on
the countries closet to it in
Asia and South East Asia,
as well as close neighbour
New Zealand. China is one
of its largest import and
export partners, and there
are many Chinese migrants
living in Australia.
In terms of market
sectors, Australia still has
a significant industry in
mining, with gold, copper
and iron ore the main
exports. Its manufacturing
industry has been in decline
since the 1960s, which many
companies moving such
facilities out of Australia and
into nearby Asian countries
with cheaper labour.
Agriculture also plays a
reasonably siginificant role
in the Australian economy.
The service industry
is among the largest in
Australia with finance,
media and tourism all
being formidable players
towards the country’s overall
prosperity.
WHO’S WHO
Australia has a good pedigree of leisure vehicle manufacturing – the camping and caravanning industry here
has outlasted and outperformed other automotive industries in the country. Perhaps the most iconic export
is Jayco, now part of the huge Thor Industries group – but there are many other makers of differing shapes
and sizes. Tents and awnings are also made here in good numbers, however Australian brands in these market
segments don’t have quite as much success when it comes to export – maybe your company could be the one to
help change that?
KEA MOTORHOMES
Made by the Action Manufacturing Group, which makes motorhomes for popular
Australian and New Zealand motorhome hire brands Britz and Maui, KEA is the sales
brand for this group. Built on a wide range of vehicle chassis including Volkswagen,
Mercedes and Toyota, KEA has been around for more than 30 years and prides itself on
the best technology, innovation and customer comforts.
www.keamotorhomes.com
TALVOR
Owned by Australian tourism company Apollo, TALVOR manufactures a range of
motorhomes and campervans in both Australia and New Zealand, both for rentals and
for permanent sales. It has been in the business since 1985, and manufacturing since
2005 and it claims its models are specifically designed to handle the unique weather and
road conditions of Australia and New Zealand.
www.talvor.com
JAYCO
One of the most iconic names in Australian caravanning and RVing is Jayco. The
company has been around for more than 45 years and still designs and manufactures its
products in Dandenong South in Victoria. It supplies a network of more than 150 dealers
and service agents and is known for its high standards of technical expertise, safety and
build quality. In 2016, it was acquired by American giant Thor Industries.
www.jayco.com.au
28 | www.campingtradeworld.com