SA brand rescued from collapse
A northern suburbs manufacturing firm has acquired the assets of its sole South Australian competitor which appointed voluntary administrators last year.
A subsidiary of APR Manufacturing Group has acquired the manufacturing and brand assets of rainwater tank maker Maxiplas for an undisclosed amount, rescuing the South Australian name from collapse.
Maxiplas was formerly owned by St Clair-based Trident Plastics, which appointed voluntary administrators in June last year citing manufacturing and supply chain challenges and the impact of COVID-19.
Trident Plastics was one of the largest custom moulders in Australia and was the manufacturer of wheelie bins for councils including Port Adelaide Enfield and Charles Sturt.
The company acquired Maxiplas in 2020, expanding Trident’s product suite to include rainwater tanks and access to large rotational moulding machines.
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Now, APR Manufacturing Group subsidiary APR Tanks has acquired Maxiplas’ manufacturing and brand assets as part of a strategic move to become a leader in the South Australian tank industry.
APR Tanks also makes water storage solutions, but CEO Ryan Lokan told InDaily that the purchase would greatly expand his firm’s offering.
“When we began APR Tanks in 2021, Maxiplas were located closest to us and were the most obvious direct competition; Maxiplas was the only other locally owned company,” said Lokan, who won the 40 Under 40 Inspiring Disruptor Award in 2022.
“When Maxiplas went into liquidation it was an opportunity for APR to diversify our range – Maxiplas has 16 years in business and their range of products was much greater than ours.
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“With 16 years in the manufacturing industry, any customer that had previously purchased a Maxiplas is now going to be available to us, and therefore we’re able to service that industry with a like-for-like product.”
APR’s portfolio will expand to include the Maxiplas line, which has been developed over 16 years. Photo: Supplied.
The Maxiplas brand will continue in conjunction with APR’s own water tanks line, with both brands to be made at APR’s Edinburgh factory where the firm employs more than 50 staff.
APR Manufacturing also makes boardwalks and retention walls out of kerbside plastic and timber waste. It recently unveiled an 833-metre retaining wall at Semaphore Beach which used more than 100,000kg of recycled material in its construction.
Alongside the acquisition, APR has introduced a new division to the company called APR Water which will focus on water conservation and storage solutions.
“It’s about combining all of our resources and bringing them under a singular leadership model whereby we’re not wasting resources and we’re able to manufacture far more sustainably,” Lokan said.
“Whilst we will still continue with the Maxiplas branding, customers can expect to tap into APR’s stellar reputation for customer service and attention to detail.”
