About 40 workers have lost their jobs after A.H. Beard Limited was placed into liquidation yesterday, as the Australian-owned mattress manufacturer collapsed on both sides of the Tasman.
The New Zealand company was put into liquidation on 28 April 2026, the same day its Australian parent entered voluntary administration after 126 years in business. Workers received letters informing them their employment was terminated immediately, with no notice period required. The collapse has been attributed to falling consumer spending, rising manufacturing costs, and a shift toward cheaper imported mattresses.
An E tū member who asked to remain anonymous says the news blindsided the workforce.
“When we heard…