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The company's chairman became visibly upset when telling employees about the sad news.
03:16, Sun, May 3, 2026 Updated: 03:17, Sun, May 3, 2026
A mattress maker has plunged into administration (Image: Getty)
An Australian family-run mattress maker has entered voluntary administration after more than a century in a move that has been branded a "sad day for the industry".
Administrators Peter Lucas and Damien Lau of P.A Lucas & Co have been appointed to oversee the process at A.H. Beard, according to a formal notice.
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The development was described as an emotional moment for staff, with reports that chairman Garry Beard in tears while telling staff at the company’s southwest Sydney facility.
The collapse has been attributed to a combination of pressures, including reduced household spending on non-essential items, increasing production costs and growing competition from lower-priced imported mattresses.
The family-owned Australian mattress manufacturer has collapsed into voluntary administration. (Image: Supplied)
The Australian Made Campaign said it was “deeply concerned” by the news, with its Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro describing the situation as “incredibly sad and concerning for Australia’s manufacturing sector”.
“As a fifth-generation Australian-made business with more than 125 years of history, A.H. Beard represents the very best of local craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability,” Mr. Lazzaro said.
“This situation highlights the growing strain on local manufacturers from rising costs and increased competition from imported goods.
“It’s a timely reminder of why supporting Australian Made matters – to protect local jobs, strengthen our industrial capability, and ensure iconic businesses like A.H. Beard can continue to thrive into the future.”
The company is more than 125 years old (Image: SUPPLIED)
Industry reaction echoed those concerns, with Australian Bedding Stewardship Council chief executive Kylie Roberts-Frost calling it a “sad day for the industry”.
“The scheme of getting manufacturers on board with voluntary green measures – using recyclable materials and getting beds out of landfills at the end of its life cycle – would not exist were it not for the voluntary efforts of A.H. Beard,” Ms Roberts-Frost said.
“Today’s news about A.H. Beard is deeply saddening, both for me personally, for my team and for our industry.
“What makes this so difficult to sit with is that A.H. Beard was doing the right thing. They were investing in sustainability, supporting a stewardship scheme, and taking responsibility for end-of-life at a time when many in the industry are not.”
Despite entering administration, the fifth-generation company is expected to continue operating while options are explored. It employs around 340 staff in Australia and a further 34 in New Zealand.
The business has been led by members of the Beard family, including Garry Beard, his brother Allyn and Garry’s son Matthew, who serves as chief executive.
A.H. Beard produces up to 10,000 mattresses each week, supplying major retailers such as David Jones, Myer and Harvey Norman.
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