Outpouring of grief after Alvey Reels announces closure after 102 years

Australian owned fishing reel manufacturer Alvey Reels has announced it will be closing its doors after 102 years of business.

The company shared the disappointing announcement on their Facebook page, saying raw materials were seeing “drastic cost increases” as well as “disruptive” labour shortages.

“After announcing in 2019 that Alvey Reels was going into its centenary year of 2020 with a bright outlook and emerging global markets, Alvey Reels has seen significant export market growth, product innovation and expansion,” the announcement read.

“The ability to source raw materials together with drastic cost increases, significant and increasing domestic and global supply chain logistics issues, and coupled with Covid 19 disruptive staff shortages, Alvey Reels has made the difficult decision that production at the Carole Park facility is no longer sustainable, and to cease manufacturing effective 30th June 2022.

“We anticipate running with Warehouse/Dispatch and Administration staff with current stock on hand, which will carry us through to January/February 2023, but we will not be able to remain open after this time.”

Alvey Reels thanked Australians for their support over the past century.

“We at Alvey Reels deeply regret this difficult decision, and whilst we commit to supplying as many of our products as we can for as long as we can, our immediate priorities are our loyal staff, our dedicated retailers and passionate supporters and customers,” the post finished.

“On behalf of the Alvey Team, we thank you all for your 102 years of support.”

The fishing company’s announcement was met with an outpouring of grief by supporters who shared their remorse for the brand’s closure.

“Fished with alvey all my life. Now I collect them. Simple and effective reel. Sad, sad news,” one wrote.

“We are so sad to see such an Aussie icon to close, we love our alvey in our family and will be sure to purchase more products before you close down. Thank you for all the years of being made in Australia and employing Aussies,” wrote another.

“I have a bunch of alvey reels that I haven’t used in quite a while and was going to check to see if they are in good working order. Hope I don’t need any spare parts. It’s never an easy decision to end such icon of Australia. I’d like to say thank you for all those years of hard working making and supplying your famous reels to so many Australians. All my memories as a kid was beach fishing off the Gold Coast with my dad and grandad with alvey reels,” one said.