Haymans Electrical owed $1.3 million after Miles Electrical collapse

The company behind a local store, which is owed the biggest debt in the wake of an electrical contractor collapse, has responded as construction chiefs are also quizzed.

The construction company behind the Maryborough munitions factory build has denied any involvement in the collapse of Hervey Bay contractor Miles Electrical.

National commercial construction company Badge, which was contracted by Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions (RNM) for the build, told the Chronicle it was not in any dispute over the $60 million plant build completed at Maryborough’s Moonaboola Industrial Estate in July.

Badge general manager of operations Nick Abley said the company had not been contacted by the administrator, nor had there been any dispute with Miles Electrical.

It comes after the longstanding Fraser Coast electrical company went into liquidation last week owing more than $2.3 million to a long and far-reaching list of creditors.

One of their last major projects was the munitions factory build, with liquidator Paul Nogueira, of Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants, indicating Miles Electrical was owed up to $2 million from the project from undetermined parties.

Mr Nogueira said he was still waiting to access particular records and information around monies owed by which companies would become clearer in the next few weeks.

A NIOA spokesman said RNM had also fulfilled its contractual obligations in relation to the factory’s construction.

The Chronicle has attempted to contact Miles Electrical through the number listed on its website but has not been able to connect.

Unsecured local and interstate companies are collectively owed a total of $2,172,115.48.

Of that, Haymans Electrical is owed $1,281,971.84.

Haymans Electrical regional credit manager Ruthven Underhill said of the $1.3 million, most was owed to the Hervey Bay store, but it would be absorbed by the larger company.

“It’s a significant impact on that store – unfortunately it is one we’ll have to absorb. It’s a number that hurts.“

The munitions factory build had been a significant project for local companies to get involved in, he explained, and risk had been mitigated by working with trusted companies.

“Often with many customers – you deal with them over a significant period of time and you build up a relationship and you work with the projects that they do,“ he said

“There is a risk that comes with that, but you mitigate that risk through the length of time you’ve dealt with them.“

Mr Underhill said it was devastating when a company closed its doors.

“It’s always unfortunate – particularly for a town like Hervey Bay – it has a local impact and people may have lost their jobs.”

He added the collapse would not cause any job losses for Haymans Electrical.