Caravan World – May 2019

(Chris Devlin) #1

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news REGULARS


THE CARAVAN YOU WANT IS NOW EASIER TO FIND tradervs.com.au^11


JURGENS FACTORY CLOSURE ‘RESOLVED’


Thermal energy could hold the key to
cheaper and more sustainable electricity,
says South Australian company CCT Energy
Storage which recently unveiled the world’s
first working thermal battery.
Known as TED (Thermal Energy Device),
the battery accepts any form of electrical
input to convert and store energy as latent
heat, which the company says makes it
versatile, affordable and long lasting.
It will supply at least 10 TED units to
commercial customers this year, with
production expected to increase to more
than 200 units by 2020.
CCT Chief Executive Serge Bondarenko
said TED had the ability to change the global
energy market by providing a cheaper and

‘greener’ alternative power source.
“We believe energy is a resource that
should be accessible to all corners of the
globe — and that means it’s vital to provide
an energy source that’s cost effective,
environmentally safe and sustainable,”
he said. “TED is the first battery of its
kind and will be a game changer in the
renewables space.”
TED stores electrical energy as thermal
energy by heating and melting a unique
phase change material. The energy is stored
at more than 12 times the density of a lead
acid battery, before being extracted by
thermic generator to provide electricity
when, and where it’s needed.
Readily scalable, TED will be used to

MEET TED, THE WORLD’S FIRST


THERMAL BATTERY


The lockout of approximately 50
employees at Victorian-based caravan
manufacturer Jurgens in March has been
explained as a “lock out by the landlord
over a commercial dispute” by owner
Paul Kyriacou.
Staff had arrived at the Packenham
premises to find the front gates locked,
with a lease termination notice attached
and security guarding the factory.
The notice attached to the gates read:
“The Lease [...] has been terminated by
the landlord as a result of the Tenant
breaching the terms of Leases. Any parties
claiming an interest in any of the plant
and equipment currently located in the
premises should lodge their claims with
the Landlord's Lawyers.”
But Kyriacou announced the settlement
of the issue via a post on the Jurgens
Caravans Australia Facebook page.
“We are pleased to advise that we have
resolved this issue, the gates are open and
we have resumed operations,” he wrote.
“A supplier has taken legal proceedings
to recover outstanding payments. We are
in the process of recapitalising which
has taken longer than expected. We are
confident of settling all suppliers in the
near future.”

The caravan manufacturer, which
was originally founded in South Africa
but began developing caravans for the
Australian market in 2008, claims to be
the largest in the southern hemisphere,
building 100,000 caravans since 1952.
In an article published by
Caravancampingsales.com.au in December
last year, Kyriacou admitted there had been
“significant speculation about the future
of Jurgens Australia” following its South
African parent company being placed into
provisional liquidation.
In his post, Kyriacou made an effort
to quell any panic that media reports
may have incited for existing and new
customers.
“We have a way to go with catching
up with production to meet demand
but please be assured we are committed
to making a success of our business and
rebuilding confidence in our brand,”
he wrote.
“We acknowledge recent events have
created significant uncertainty for our
staff, customers, dealers and suppliers.
We are truly sorry for the distress this
has caused. Finally, we sincerely thank
the many who have supported us in these
challenging times.”

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