Zone RV

Zone RV was an Australian caravan manufacturer established in 2015 by David Biggar and Matt Johns. The company was headquartered in Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and developed a reputation for manufacturing caravans using a timber-free construction system based on composite materials. Its vehicles used combinations of aluminium, fibreglass, foam and plastics rather than conventional timber-framed methods, with the stated aim of producing durable caravans suitable for demanding touring conditions. The company grew rapidly after its formation. Zone RV reported turnover of approximately A$4.4 million in the 2015–16 financial year, only a short time after establishment. During its expansion it moved through several premises before occupying a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Coolum Business Park in the late 2010s. The facility was reported to have cost about A$8 million and supported a workforce of roughly 90 employees at the time. The business’s manufacturing model was closely connected to related composite-material suppliers. David Biggar was also associated with Cure Composites, which supplied high-strength floor panels, and CL Composites, which supplied wall and roof panels for Zone RV caravans. Zone RV positioned itself around locally manufactured, technically engineered caravans rather than mass-market recreational vehicles. Its product proposition centred on structural composites, relatively low reliance on timber, and the ability to build caravans intended for off-road and long-distance travel. The brand received industry recognition through a nomination for Caravan World’s Best Aussie Caravan in 2016. It also obtained public support for manufacturing development. In 2022, the company received more than A$1.4 million through the Queensland Government’s Made in Queensland grant program. In 2023, it received a further A$1.16 million grant to support advanced manufacturing equipment, including a large-scale industrial 3D printer. Despite its earlier expansion and manufacturing investment, Zone RV experienced sustained cash-flow and operational difficulties. Zone RV Holdings Pty Ltd and Zone Manufacturing Pty Ltd entered voluntary administration in December 2024. Administrators subsequently reported substantial liabilities, including customer claims, employee entitlements and supplier debts, and indicated that the companies may have been insolvent as early as August 2023. The administration period involved limited continued production and delivery of some partially completed caravans, including vehicles released after customers paid additional completion costs. Creditors voted in early 2025 to wind up the business, after which Zone RV was liquidated. Reports stated that many customers had paid substantial deposits or progress payments for caravans that had not been delivered. Administrators and liquidators continued examining the company’s financial affairs, including possible breaches of Australian corporations law and potential claims relating to insolvent trading. Queensland Police also confirmed an investigation into a fraud complaint concerning a director. These proceedings and investigations formed part of the company’s post-collapse administration and do not by themselves establish wrongdoing. Zone RV is therefore best understood as a defunct Australian specialist caravan brand whose composite-construction approach and manufacturing ambitions were ultimately overtaken by severe financial distress.

Zone RV was founded in Australia in 2015 by David Biggar and Matt Johns. From its base on the Sunshine Coast, the company pursued a distinctive approach to caravan manufacturing based on timber-free composite construction. Its caravans incorporated materials including aluminium, fibreglass, foam and plastics. The approach differentiated Zone RV from manufacturers relying more heavily on conventional timber-framed construction and supported the brand’s focus on durable touring and off-road vehicles. The business expanded quickly during its early years. It reported turnover of approximately A$4.4 million in the 2015–16 financial year and outgrew a succession of earlier operating sites. In the late 2010s, Zone RV moved into a purpose-built facility in Coolum Business Park. The facility was reported to have cost approximately A$8 million and, at the time of the move, employed about 90 people. The company’s manufacturing ecosystem included related composite businesses associated with co-founder David Biggar. Cure Composites supplied high-strength floor panels, while CL Composites supplied wall and roof panels. Zone RV sought recognition as an Australian specialist rather than a high-volume caravan producer. The company was nominated for Caravan World’s Best Aussie Caravan in 2016. It later received government assistance for manufacturing capability: more than A$1.4 million through the Queensland Government’s Made in Queensland program in 2022, followed by an A$1.16 million grant in 2023 for advanced manufacturing equipment, including a large-scale industrial 3D printer. The company’s later history was dominated by financial distress. In December 2024, Zone RV Holdings Pty Ltd and Zone Manufacturing Pty Ltd entered voluntary administration following continuing cash-flow and operational pressures. Administrators reported that the business may have been insolvent from as early as August 2023 and identified debts of about A$42 million. These reportedly included approximately A$18 million in customer claims, around A$4 million in employee entitlements and between A$15 million and A$20 million owed to suppliers. About 240 employees were made redundant. The business continued in a limited form during administration, and some partially completed caravans were delivered. A number of customers who had paid in full were reportedly able to obtain completed vehicles after paying additional completion fees. However, reports indicated that approximately 140 customers remained without caravans for which they had paid, with some deposits reaching about A$150,000. In early 2025, creditors voted to liquidate the companies. Liquidators continued investigating the circumstances of the collapse and possible claims against the company’s director, including potential civil claims of up to A$21 million relating to alleged insolvent trading. The collapse also generated regulatory and law-enforcement scrutiny. A former senior executive had reportedly raised concerns with ASIC in 2023 about the company’s financial position. Queensland Police later confirmed that it was investigating a fraud complaint relating to a director, while liquidators reported potential Corporations Act issues to ASIC. These matters remained allegations or investigations rather than established findings. Audited accounts for 2023–24 were reported to show a net loss of approximately A$4.75 million and net liabilities of about A$10.8 million, with auditors warning of material uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Zone RV was subsequently liquidated and is no longer an active caravan manufacturer.

• 2025

  Liquidation

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  Creditors vote to wind up the business, and Zone RV is subsequently liquidated.

• 2024

  Voluntary administration

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  Zone RV Holdings and Zone Manufacturing enter voluntary administration following financial and operational difficulties.

• 2023

  Advanced manufacturing grant

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  The company receives an A$1.16 million Queensland Government grant for advanced manufacturing equipment, including a large industrial 3D printer.

• 2022

  Made in Queensland grant

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  Zone RV receives more than A$1.4 million through the Queensland Government’s Made in Queensland grant program.

• 2018

  Move to purpose-built Coolum facility

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  After outgrowing earlier premises, Zone RV expands into a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Coolum Business Park.

• 2016

  Best Aussie Caravan nomination

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  Zone RV is nominated for Caravan World’s Best Aussie Caravan.

• 2016

  Early turnover reported

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  The company reports turnover of approximately A$4.4 million for the 2015–16 financial year.

• 2015

  Zone RV is established

  [1]Zone RVen.wikipedia.org

  David Biggar and Matt Johns establish the Australian caravan manufacturer on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

A specialist Australian caravan manufacturer positioned around premium, technically engineered and timber-free composite construction for touring and off-road applications.

• Caravans · 2015

  Composite caravans

  Zone RV’s core product line consisted of caravans manufactured with a timber-free construction method. The vehicles used composite materials including aluminium, fibreglass, foam and plastics, with the company emphasizing structural durability and suitability for touring. The range was associated with premium and specialist recreational-vehicle positioning rather than mass-market production.

• Recreational vehicles

  Off-road and touring caravans

  The brand’s caravans were aimed at customers undertaking long-distance travel and off-road touring. Their construction and engineering proposition was intended to address demanding travel conditions, while manufacturing was carried out in Queensland. Specific model names and complete historical product specifications are not established in the available source material.

• 2025

  Post-liquidation fraud and corporate-law investigations

  Following Zone RV’s liquidation, Queensland Police confirmed an investigation into a fraud complaint relating to a director. Liquidators also reported that allegations of possible Corporations Act breaches had been submitted to ASIC and considered potential civil claims connected with alleged insolvent trading. The available material describes investigations and allegations, not proven misconduct.

  Source

Read more

• 2025

  Proceed to liquidationOther

  Background

  Administrators reported substantial unpaid customer, employee and supplier claims and recommended winding up the business.

  Action taken

  Creditors voted in early 2025 to liquidate Zone RV.

  Aftermath

  The brand ceased operating as an active caravan manufacturer, while liquidators continued investigating potential recoveries and claims.

  Source

• 2024

  Enter voluntary administrationOther

  Background

  Sustained cash-flow challenges and operational pressures affected Zone RV Holdings and Zone Manufacturing.

  Action taken

  Both companies entered voluntary administration in December 2024.

  Aftermath

  Employees were made redundant, production continued only on a limited basis, and administrators investigated the company’s financial position and obligations to customers and creditors.

  Reported total debts. Approximately A$42 million (Administration period beginning December 2024)

  Source

• 2023

  Add advanced manufacturing equipmentStrategy

  Background

  Zone RV sought to increase its advanced manufacturing capabilities.

  Action taken

  The company received an A$1.16 million Queensland Government grant supporting equipment investment, including a large-scale industrial 3D printer.

  Aftermath

  The investment plan was pursued during a period that administrators later associated with serious cash-flow and solvency concerns.

  Government grant. A$1.16 million (2023)

  Source

• 2022

  Invest in supported manufacturing developmentStrategy

  Background

  The company pursued manufacturing expansion and capability development in Queensland.

  Action taken

  Zone RV received more than A$1.4 million through the Queensland Government’s Made in Queensland program.

  Aftermath

  The grant supported the company’s manufacturing-development ambitions.

  Government grant. More than A$1.4 million (2022)

  Source

• 2018

  Expand into a purpose-built manufacturing facilityStrategy

  Background

  Rapid growth caused Zone RV to outgrow several earlier premises.

  Action taken

  The company moved into a purpose-built facility in Coolum Business Park, reportedly representing an investment of about A$8 million.

  Aftermath

  The facility supported expanded production and a workforce of roughly 90 employees at the time.

  Reported facility cost. Approximately A$8 million (Late 2010s)

  Source

• 2015

  Adopt timber-free composite constructionStrategy

  Background

  The new company entered the caravan market with a construction approach based on composite materials rather than conventional timber framing.

  Action taken

  Zone RV used combinations of aluminium, fibreglass, foam and plastics in its caravan manufacturing process.

  Aftermath

  The material system became a central part of the brand’s differentiation and premium, off-road-oriented positioning.

  Source

1. 1Zone RVen.wikipedia.org