Action Sheetmetal facing closure from dive in work

The owner of a Territory business operating in Darwin for the last five decades is facing the heartbreaking prospect of shutting his doors.

A TERRITORY business that has been operating in Darwin for the past 52 years is facing the prospect of having to shut its doors.

Action Sheetmetal stalwart Harry Maschke has seen his Berrimah Road business dwindle from a staff of 24 to just three because of a plunge in work contracts.

Since the start of this year Harry, who is 85, has unsuccessfully tendered for around 50 jobs and says he is not the only business in a similar predicament.

“I know of at least four other businesses struggling to find work,” Mr Maschke said.

“It is not as good as some are saying. I had 24 people up until last Christmas and then the work dried up.”

Mr Maschke explained that his last job was on the NT government’s Manunda Place.

“I tendered for quite a few jobs and we lived in hope, but up to date their has been nothing.

“I have had to let people go because I could not afford to keep them on.

“I’ve had to sell property to pay wages and keep the men on the payroll.

“But it just got to the point where I could not do that. Now I’m down to just three people and now I am faced with having to close down.”

Mr Maschke said that could happen at any time.

“Sadly, this is not just our company, there are others I know in the same boat,” he said.

“I have been told there is work in the pipeline, but of course who knows when.

“The sad part is this business has been supporting a lot of local tradies and apprentices.

“Over the 52 years I’ve been in business I have trained somewhere around 80-90 apprentices and countless other workers.

“I feel gutted to be honest, I had to let a lot of good people go and of course they have had to leave Darwin, so everyone suffers.”