Enware to quit manufacturing in Australia: report

Enware, an 86-year-old plumbing and safety equipment company, will stop manufacturing at its Australian headquarters, according to a report.

US business Watts Water Technologies completed an acquisition of Enware on March 31, saying it was “excited about the growth opportunities provided by this acquisition” at the time.

According to a report on Monday by industry title Plumbing Connection, Enware will wind down the manufacturing functions at its Caringbah site over nine months.

Redundancies would take place in phases – with timing depending on the “on the logistics of the global supply chain” – and administration and warehousing operations also under review.

Plumbing Connection cites an email to staff that reads: “In the past two months, the management team have been reviewing how best to ensure the ongoing success of Enware. This has involved making tough decisions on processes and product ranges.

“Regrettably, the decision has been made to reduce costs by outsourcing manufacturing of Enware products. Once this outsourcing is completed, Enware’s current manufacturing function at 7-11 Endeavour Road, Caringbah, NSW, will no longer be required.”

Watts has been contacted for comment.

A six-year-old corporate video showcasing the factory, titled Made In Caringbah, is reproduced below.

Enware has won praise for its design, including eight consecutive awards at the annual Good Design Awards.

A 2014 report by UTS and CSIRO authors, Design for manufacturing competitiveness, noted that “Enware’s point of competition is in comprehensive solutions, high quality standards of production and water and energy efficiency, rather than price as a priority.”

Picture: credit Enware/Youtube