Bathroom manufacturer Caroma will close the doors of its Adelaide factory ending 76 years of manufacturing tradition

SOUTH Australian-born bathroom fixture company Caroma will close its Norwood factory today — two days after Coca-Cola Amatil announced it will end manufacturing in SA.

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SOUTH Australian-born bathroom fixture company Caroma will close its Norwood factory today, two days after Coca-Cola announced it will end manufacturing in SA.

Production at Caroma’s Magill Rd plant, where the company began life in 1941, will wind up tomorrow with the remaining 14 staff walking out the door.

It comes as the State Government and Coca-Cola Amatil today brokered a $4000 support package for each of the 180 workers who will lose their job from the closure of CC Amatil’s manufacturing plants at Thebarton and in the Riverland.

Caroma’s owners, fixtures and fittings supplier GWA Group, announced in October 2014 it would phase out manufacturing in Norwood with the loss of 75 jobs.

The two-hectare Norwood site has been leased from the State Government, which paid $15 million for the site in 2013 to develop a residential precinct with apartments, cafes and townhouses.

Manufacturing at Caroma’s Norwood factory on Magill Road will finish for the last time tomorrow.

GWA Managing Director, Tim Salt, acknowledged past and present staff at the Norwood site for their “significant contribution” in developing Caroma as one of Australia’s most “ecognisable and trusted” brands.

“Norwood’s world-leading plastics innovation and flushing technologies are renowned around the world. As such Norwood has been for many years the lifeblood of the business and has helped to put Caroma on the map,” he said.

“That is a strong testament to our people at Norwood and on behalf of GWA, I want to personally acknowledge their contribution over many years and offer them the company’s very best wishes for their individual futures.”

The company has outsourced manufacturing of its products to Malaysia, China and Europe.

Mr Salt said the company would maintain sales and distribution facilities in SA and will develop a concept centre and sales office, which is due to open in Norwood in August.

Mr Salt said while manufacturing has ceased at Norwood, GWA’s commitment to the Australian market and local presence in Adelaide remained absolutely firm.

The company said all affected employees at the Norwood site have received their full redundancy entitlements and assistance in obtaining new work through a “comprehensive”outplacement program.