More disruptions to Crusader production line
Melbourne caravan manufacturer battling hard to keep up with orders during extended lockdownsBig-selling caravan manufacturer Crusader has reassured buyers waiting patiently for delivery of new caravans that it's doing everything possible to keep drawn-out delivery times on track despite COVID headwinds continuing to affect production at its Melbourne factory.
Crusader Caravans' director Michael Paidoussis said the big-selling manufacturer has been forced to cut its weekly production by two caravans, or around 10 per cent overall, as ongoing lockdowns, parts supply issues and COVID workplace disruptions help boost bulging order books at a time of unprecedented demand.
It's believed up until recently Crusader built approximately 20 vans a week at its Epping Victoria factory, with plans to double that when it moves into a new 15,010sqm production facility around the middle of next year.
With Melbourne approaching 200 days of 'lockdown' since March 2020, Paidoussis said in a video on social media that while fortunate to continue to operate as an 'essential service', the current requirement of a COVID-19 safe workplace has led to a "significant slowdown in production".
"The single biggest issue our production is facing is our supply chain," he said.
"Can we get the parts we need to complete our caravans?... The answer is sometimes... Some suppliers have either closed for periods and are either unable to supply at all or have slowed supply.
"This could be as simple as gas bottles not being available or ABS board, which brings the CNC machines to a halt and doesn't enable us to complete the furniture for vans," he explained.
Other "disruptions" on the factory floor include only having a maximum of one worker inside a van at any time, while some production staff have been forced to take leave for home schooling or to get a COVID test.
"As everyone knows this problem is not unique to our industry," Paidoussis said.
He said Crusader is currently running two weeks' behind a revised production schedule set in early-2021, with the backlog in orders expected to significantly reduce around mid-2022 after production is ramped up at the new factory.
"We're going to pick up the production loss pretty quickly," he said.
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