Seating supplier Camatic enters voluntary administration

EXCLUSIVE: Leading industry seating supplier Camatic Pty Ltd has entered administration with a first meeting of creditors having been held yesterday.

The Victorian-based seating manufacturer, which last year unveiled the world’s first recycled plastic stadium, had been in the news in March having provided the seating for Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium at which the NRL’s groundbreaking season-opening double-header was played. All 65,000 spectator seats at the venue, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL), also showcased for the recent NFL Super Bowl LVIII, were supplied by the Wantirna South company which traded as Camatic Seating.

Overall, it has supplied installations totalling more than 600,000 seats at nine out of the current 30 NFL stadiums, while also providing seats for venues at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Sydney's new Allianz Stadium, completed in 2022, was a significant Australian-based project for the company, for which it supplied 42,000 of its Axiom seats.

Commenting on these installations, Camatic Chief Executive, Kirk Edwards stated “(our) accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, some of whom have been with us for over 40 years.

“As an Australian-owned and operated family company, we take immense pride in our global contributions and the impact we have on the local community.”

Its activities include providing seating for stadiums and arenas, cinemas, theatre and performing arts venues, schools and places of worship.

In February, a post on the company’s website advised “with more than 150 Victorian jobs contributing to the success of major stadium builds, Camatic Seating stands as a beacon of resilience in an era when manufacturing has largely departed from the region.”

However, a notice published by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on 4th April advised that Camatic Pty Ltd had entered voluntary administration.

Australasian Leisure Management understands that a number of the company’s staff have been made redundant.

Apart from the Australian manufacturing site at Wantirna South, it also operated Camatic US which was responsible for projects in the region and a manufacturing facility - Camatic Malaysia.

Jason Stone and Glenn Franklin of PKF Melbourne have been appointed as administrators. PKF Melbourne have been asked for comment but have not responded to requests.

Click here to view the ASIC notice of the appointment of administrators.

Images: Camatic's recycled plastic stadium seat launched at the 2023 SportNXT sport summit by Camatic Managing Director, Kirk Edwards (left) and television personality and SportNXT Chair, Eddie McGuire.