Thread: Omega Engineering in liquidation

Originally Posted by Big Shed

...................... but to be fair none of us know why this company failed.

It looks like the owner has some health problems and that may well be the cause, or it may have failed because it is manufacturing a (very) high priced product with a limited market in this country.

Very true, we don't know why it happened and what the causes are, but the fact that the winding up was commenced by the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation gives certain clues.

In my previous life I found that the ATO will look at reasonable proposals to pay outstanding income tax by installments but not with nonpayment of moneys received and held in trust. These are income tax deductions withheld from employees wages and GST moneys paid to them by their customers.

The ATO considered that theft and misappropriating moneys not belonging to the business and they were very quick to enforce payment, including winding up the business. Maybe the owners health, pressure of business and insufficient sales caused them to be late in payment of these moneys and fell foul of them.

Still very sad as there are not enough lathe manufacturers.


Peter.

i use to sell Rob the motors for the stubby even helped out on the stand at his last Woodworking show, his sales started to dry up when he had problems with his US distributor and the high Aussie Dollar. The US was where he sold most of his lathes as good as the lathe is it was just too expensive to sell in Australia most wanted something cheaper, the few he did sell in this country (usually about 5-6 units per year on average) would not justify him staying in business.

We all talk about good Aussie quality and supporting Australian businesses, but the truth is we are too close to China and the average Australian wants to live the Champagne life for two bob (20 cents) we have become hooked on cheap goods and will not pay the extra for quality or support Australian business if we can get something cheaper off the boat. If this sounds like a rant it is I put up with 25 years of this crap where Aussie products were not supported because it was cheaper off the boat, even had to put up with it from one of the posters to this thread bemoaning that Aussie businesses were suffering.

I for one am sad that Rob is folding his sons will be looking for work now, but it does not surprise me, the GFC was where his export sales started to dry up and sales to him started to fall off, Robs health was not good then.

I wish Rob and his family well.

Thanks for the positive posts re - OMEGA STUBBY LATHES.

I ( Rod ) purchased the Omega TOOL & ENGINEERING from my Father Robert prior to him going into liquidation and am currently rebuilding what has been decimated by lack of support and assistance by various levels of Government and their policies.

The constant battles with these bodies, the high Aus $ and the GFC have caused most of the previous companies problems as well as exasperated Rob's health issues - he's just plain had enough. I have seen it all happen over the last few years.

Currently the manufacturing is continuing for HARE & FORBES "Ëducation Equipment" as well as S750's / S1000's / S1000+'s being manufactured to customer order as in the past - this is planned to continue well into the future.

Currently all contact details remain unchanged.

Thank you for your support in the past and I look forward to your continued support in the future.

Rod Caddaye
T/as - Omega Tool and Engineering

All we all need now is for Aussies to support Aussies. Recognise good engineering / manufacturing and buy for a little bit more, but for far fewer times.

Once upon a time there were Australian industries, now there are comparatively few real Australian owned companies. Look for them in the supermarkets, look for them actively. Check the price, sure, but does it really cost that much more to support Australian. Not really in my experience. Take something as common as vegemite. There are now 3, yes three, alternatives to the great black muck. They are all comparable on price and quality.

There are many many other examples.

Look with your eyes people. Shop with your mind and your heart.

Rant over.

Originally Posted by King Stubby

Thanks for the positive posts re - OMEGA STUBBY LATHES.

I ( Rod ) purchased the Omega TOOL & ENGINEERING from my Father Robert prior to him going into liquidation and am currently rebuilding what has been decimated by lack of support and assistance by various levels of Government and their policies.

The constant battles with these bodies, the high Aus $ and the GFC have caused most of the previous companies problems as well as exasperated Rob's health issues - he's just plain had enough. I have seen it all happen over the last few years.

Currently the manufacturing is continuing for HARE & FORBES "Ëducation Equipment" as well as S750's / S1000's / S1000+'s being manufactured to customer order as in the past - this is planned to continue well into the future.

Currently all contact details remain unchanged.

Thank you for your support in the past and I look forward to your continued support in the future.

Rod Caddaye
T/as - Omega Tool and Engineering

Good on you Rod and good luck

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

All we all need now is for Aussies to support Aussies. Recognise good engineering / manufacturing and buy for a little bit more, but for far fewer times.

Once upon a time there were Australian industries, now there are comparatively few real Australian owned companies. Look for them in the supermarkets, look for them actively. Check the price, sure, but does it really cost that much more to support Australian. Not really in my experience. Take something as common as vegemite. There are now 3, yes three, alternatives to the great black muck. They are all comparable on price and quality.

There are many many other examples.

Look with your eyes people. Shop with your mind and your heart.

Rant over.

Consumables, like vegemite are all well and good, but how many of us intend to go out and buy a Stubby lathe in the near , or even distant future. A Stubby lathe lasts even longer than a really big jar of Vegemite. Those of you out there that already have one might condsider when you might be going to upgrade to a new one - I'll bet it will be no time soon. I would guess that almost all the professional turners in the country (any one know how many there are?), that need a Stubby would already have one.

I know how good these things are, none better, but it must be a very difficult marketing program to convince people that they just have to go out and get a Stubby next weekend. If there is and advertising agency out there that can convince the Australian public that every home needs a Stubby, let them stand up NOW! These things are NOT an impulse buy. Perhaps we will see a Stubby lathe on special at Aldi next saturday for $29.99

It is sad that the company has run into problems. It is a very good thing that the next generation has been able to take over and move it forward. Ihope they maintain and expand their markets and make lots and lots of lathes that will make them lots and lots of money. I wish I could buy one, my third rate turning efforts would be just that little bit better ,then again, maybe not.

But as for all the wailing and gnashing of teeth, jeez, give it a break. If you think someone should do something, then go stump up the dollars and buy one - it's up to you. You could double their Australian sales over the next few months - if they have the production capacity to cope with that.

I have a mate that has 3 yes 3 omega stubby s1000 lathes lined up in his workshop one had a date on it of around 1998 and it still runs like new and looks as good as the day it was made

times have changed but the fact that stubby is still the ducks nuts of woodturning lathes, and always will be in a lot of people's eyes.

Save a Australian and buy Australian Made

Stubby made in Australia for people with big bowls

keep your head up Rod

Good luck with it.

Originally Posted by nz_carver

I have a mate that has 3 yes 3 omega stubby s1000 lathes lined up in his workshop one had a date on it of around 1998 and it still runs like new and looks as good as the day it was made

times have changed but the fact that stubby is still the ducks nuts of woodturning lathes, and always will be in a lot of people's eyes.

Save a Australian and buy Australian Made

Stubby made in Australia for people with big bowls

keep your head up Rod

I hope Stubby are around for a lot longer, not that I have the readies for one now or in the near future. The reality is often that cheap sells, again & again & again. In the end you have paid out what a good machine would have cost in the first place and would have enjoyed all of its benefits rather than putting up with the deficiencies of the cheap machine.

Rod, all the best in your endeavours, I sincerely hope you can make a real success of it so we have real choices now & in the future, instead of mediocre cheap stuff..


(ps I have an aussie made Woodfast!)

Originally Posted by nz_carver

I have a mate that has 3 yes 3 omega stubby s1000 lathes lined up in his workshop one had a date on it of around 1998 and it still runs like new and looks as good as the day it was made

Originally Posted by nz_carver

and they will probably run as good as new for another 30, 40 or even 50 years.So if your mate doesn't do something to increase his business, he will never buy another STUBBY. Not good for Rod's business.

times have changed but the fact that stubby is still the ducks nuts of woodturning lathes, and always will be in a lot of people's eyes.

Absolutely 100% correct. There are, perhaps none better. Certainly for the craftsman / artisan or very small manufacturer, but for mass production? - useless iron

Save a Australian and buy Australian Made

Why?

Buy the best available or the best you can afford.

Stubby made in Australia for people with big bowls ...

and a really particular need for a big, versatile lathe that costs an enormous amount of money. Not that i have a problem with that...I wish I had one ,I wish I could afford one.

keep your head up Rod

and go like hell. Good for you Rod!

Originally Posted by Scott

It does Fred. However why isn't Australian manufacturing supported like it is in other nations?

If only thet were true, from the comments I read, you're in, and have suffered, the same decine in your engineering capability as we have.Let's see, our Navy is having is new support fleet built in Korea, and if I read correctly your new Navy Marine Hele & Landing craft Ship is being made in Spain.

Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly

If only thet were true, from the comments I read, you're in, and have suffered, the same decine in your engineering capability as we have.Let's see, our Navy is having is new support fleet built in Korea, and if I read correctly your new Navy Marine Hele & Landing craft Ship is being made in Spain.

Let's face the fact. The world is governed by the almighty dollar!,

Best wishes with the new venture Rod.

Stubbies have a distinctive design that works well for some turners.

Having owned one and having dealt with Rob on minor matters I have to say I'm not surprised that Omega has got into the poo.

I hope you can improve customer service and manufacturing tolerances.

Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly

If only thet were true, from the comments I read, you're in, and have suffered, the same decine in your engineering capability as we have.Let's see, our Navy is having is new support fleet built in Korea, and if I read correctly your new Navy Marine Hele & Landing craft Ship is being made in Spain.

That's because we are now controlled by economic rationalists that have a one dimensional view of the world ie MONEY:

People, jobs and the environment and even future generations are all compromised for perceived short term financial gains. The tragedy is most people have not woken up to what's happening to our manufacturing industry . And yes politicians are part of the problem.

That's why I bought a Vicmarc lathe and I buy their chucks and accessories.
There is always a choice to be made it is up to the individual as to whether they want another Asian "landfill" product or a quality alternative.

Personally I'm happier to buy European made or Australian before anything from Asia even if it costs more!