Sharpe Services calls in liquidators after four decades of trade

One of the state’s longest-running electrical, solar and battery companies has collapsed, after more than 40 years trading.

Cuts to the state’s home battery scheme and the economic fallout from Covid-19 have been blamed for the demise of electrical, solar, battery and plumbing company Sharpe Services.

The company called in liquidators last week to wind up the company after more than 40 years of trade.

It had recently employed close to 60 technicians and other staff, but had cut that figure to 25 prior to the company’s collapse.

In a statement, managing director David Sharpe said cuts to the home battery scheme over the past two years coincided with a “perfect storm” of economic challenges brought on by Covid-19, including increases in stock and freight costs, and a tightening in the supply of batteries and solar panels resulting from border closures.

Job cancellations brought on by consumer uncertainty added to the company’s financial problems, Mr Sharpe said.

Sharpe Services Managing Director David Sharpe.

“These elements combined to create the perfect storm, and despite our best efforts to continue to operate a business that has been synonymous with South Australia’s energy market for 42 years, we were left with no option but to call in Daniel (liquidator) earlier last week,” he said.

“My immediate priority is to work with Clifton Hall (liquidator) to assist in managing all issues arising as a result of the liquidation process, including dealing with former employees and customers with work in progress projects, and achieving the best possible outcome for all parties.

“I thank our loyal and talented staff for all their hard work and the unmatched level of care they provided to all our customers over so many years. It has been our privilege, too, to collaborate with other passionate South Australian suppliers over the journey.”

Last year competing trades firm Metropolitan Plumbing and Metropolitan Electrical initiated legal proceedings against Sharpe Services over claims of trademark infringement.

However Mr Sharpe said the matter was dropped before reaching the courts, and had no impact on the company’s deteriorating financial position.

A Sharpe Services electrician checking and testing the safety of a residential electrical switchboard in 2018.

A Sharpe technician servicing and testing the electrics on a Solar PV System in 2017.

The home battery scheme was launched by the former Liberal state government in 2018, initially offering a subsidy of up to $6000 towards the cost of a home-battery system.

Over the past two years the subsidy has been wound back to $2000, and was killed off entirely in the Labor government’s first budget earlier this year, due to lower-than-expected take-up from homeowners.

Liquidator Daniel Lopresti from Clifton Hall said it as too early to provide an estimate of Sharpe Services’ debts to creditors and employees, and more details about the company’s financial position would be known later this week.