19 February , 2008

Endeavour’s Toowoomba Business Service to Cease its Timber Furniture Operations

The Endeavour Foundation’s Toowoomba Business Service is about to commence a product repositioning strategy designed to ensure the long term viability of the service.

The focus of the strategy will be the development of new business activities to offset the dramatic decline in bedroom furniture sales caused by the influx of cheap imports from South East Asia.

Endeavour Foundation CEO, Mr Kelvin Spiller advised that it is no longer viable to continue manufacturing bedroom furniture as all Endeavour’s major customers were now importing product due to the strength of the Australian Dollar.

To offset the loss of furniture production, the organisation has commenced an investment program which will begin with the development of a food packaging operation and clean room.  The Toowoomba Business Service will also implement HACCP which is a food safety accreditation process.  This will enable the Business Service to secure major contracts and complement the organisation’s successful food packaging operations at Bundaberg, Wacol and Burleigh Heads.

The Toowoomba Service is well located between the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs and its experience in food packaging will guarantee its success in this market.

All of Endeavour’s supported employees will retain their positions and they will be trained on the new processes and equipment associated with this new venture.  While it is unfortunate that the bedroom furniture manufacturing will cease to operate, Endeavour’s entry into the food packaging operations will guarantee the long term viability of the Service and expand its relationships with the broader Toowoomba community.

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