Australian Defence Apparel cuts 58 jobs as demand drops

[Fibre2fashion]

courtesy: ada.com.au

 

Australian Defence Apparel (ADA), which manufactures, designs and supplies specialised combat uniforms, protective clothing and uniforms to Australian forces, has announced shedding 58 positions at its plant in Bendigo, Victoria.

 

In a statement, ADA said it would stop operations at its night shift and part-time day shift, which would impact 58 employees at its Bendigo factory.

 

ADA said the Commonwealth’s decision to withdraw Australian troops from Afghanistan has reduced the demand for combat uniforms.

 

In addition to jobs at Bendigo unit, 14 positions at the company’s Melbourne office would also be made redundant.

 

ADA chief executive David Giles-Kaye said the combat uniforms worn by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan were made in Bendigo facility and there would be a steep drop in demand for these dresses as Commonwealth pulls out of Afghanistan.

 

He added that until recently the company did not realize the overall impact of withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, abc.net.au reported

 

However, the non-defence sections of ADA’s business would operate normally.

 

Meanwhile, Bendigo Federal MP Steve Gibbons has deeply regretted the loss of full-time and part-time jobs at ADA’s Bendigo plant.

 

“I have been assured by the company that all employee entitlements will be paid in full”, Mr. Gibbons said in a statement.

 

ADA redundant employees will also receive assistance from the Commonwealth Government’s Industry Structural Adjustment Program, and the Federal Labor Government is ready to assist the redundant workers in any other way it can, the statement said.

 

ADA’s history as the preferred supplier to the Australian armed forces dates back to the First World War. In addition to providing body armors to Australian troops, ADA also designs and manufacture other military apparel, including dress and parade uniforms, which are used by armed forces around the world, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.