A fire has badly damaged the Haines Hunter Australia factory in Derrimut, Victoria.
Firefighters were alerted to the incident by multiple calls from the public, with 20 fire appliances attending the factory soon after 10am on Friday January 9.
The fire, in the moulding section of the factory, took several hours to bring under control, partly due to a structural collapse within the building.
The weather also played a major contributing role in the severity of the incident.
Neighbouring businesses were evacuated as a precaution and four people were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. There were no serious injuries.
In an update, Haines Hunter stated that the company was incredibly grateful that no lives were lost and there were no serious injuries.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be working through the process of rebuilding and restoring our factory.
Haines Hunter Australia
The majority of the molds have not been affected, and the company’s core tooling remains intact, with plans already in replace to rebuild the few lost or damaged molds as quickly as possible.
“This incident has been a difficult moment for our business and has caused disruption to our operations,” said the statement.
“Over the coming weeks and months, we will be working through the process of rebuilding and restoring our factory.
“During this time, we will also be strategically planning our best options moving forward —using this moment not just to recover, but to strengthen our operations and position Haines Hunter for an even stronger future.
Overwhelming support
“While this will take time, our focus is clear: to get back on track as soon as possible and rebuild stronger than ever.”
And the company said everyone had been deeply touched by the overwhelming support received from fellow fishermen and boaters, customers, dealers, suppliers, and the broader community.
The statement continued: “Haines Hunter has always been built on resilience, craftsmanship, and community, and those values will guide us through this recovery.
“We thank everyone for their patience, support, and belief in our brand as we move forward.”
Up to 1,000 boats a year
Haines Hunter has said plans will now be put in place to rebuild a revitalised factory.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The company opened its 8000sqm premises in Victoria in 2007. The facility incorporates all the boatbuilder’s business functions under one roof, with the facility having the capacity to produce up to 1,000 boats each year.
Haines Hunter Australia has more than two dozen trailerable models, from fishing boats to family/cruising and sports boats.
