Goldstream ' s Shaun Noble sees strong headwinds for the industry.
Ultimately, while being clear-eyed about the challenges ahead, it was the lack of certainty – from fuel supply to fuel prices, and questions as to whether the manufacturer would go broke before delivering the customer’ s van( which we’ ve seen before) – that was the real problem, Mr Lamont said.
“ The industry booms in times of certainty. Even if diesel prices stay at $ 3 per litre post-war, things will settle because certainty means people can plan and have confidence in the market,” he said.
‘ MASSIVE TROUBLE’
That’ s the dispassionate, rational perspective of the CEO of the van and holiday park industry’ s national body. But the concern circulating within the industry right now is very real.
I spoke with Shaun Noble, the codirector of Goldstream, who quickly confirmed that the situation – at least from his perspective – was dire.
“ It’ s stopped dead,” he said of customer enquiry – not just to his business but the businesses of his industry colleagues.“ There are companies that I know of that are in massive trouble. There’ s just no one to sell to at the moment. I reckon I could put a $ 100,000 van on the lot for $ 50,000, and it wouldn’ t sell. It isn’ t even about the price – there aren’ t even any bargain hunters out there.”
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