Reliance Worldwide Shuts Melbourne Sites; 85 Jobs Affected
Synopsis
Reliance Worldwide, the Australian plumbing products manufacturer behind brands such as SharkBite and HoldRite, plans to close several Melbourne manufacturing sites. This move will impact 85 employees as automation and increased local production in the U.S. reduce demand for Australian-made components. The company expects the restructuring to improve earnings from FY27.
Reliance Worldwide is restructuring its Australian manufacturing footprint by closing its brass casting, forging, and machining facilities in Melbourne, along with a number of smaller cities, as part of a wide effort to streamline its global manufacturing network.
Reason for Closure
The company said the changes follow steadily declining production volumes, which have made the facilities uneconomical to operate.
Reliance Worldwide plans to relocate these operations overseas, with anticipated financial benefits beginning in FY27.
Approximately 85 employees are expected to be affected by the closures. The company has begun consultations with impacted workers and expects the process to conclude in July 2026.
This restructuring also aligns with its shift toward more automated manufacturing at its Alabama facility in the United States, along with increased use of stainless steel in place of brass.
Financial Impact
The company anticipates that the move will reduce APAC EBITDA by about US$9 million annually, while delivering annual gains of around US$18 million in the Americas.
It expects to incur a one-off net charge of US$100 million to US$110 million in FY26, which will be excluded from operating earnings.
Future Strategy
Going forward, Reliance Worldwide will increase its focus on third-party suppliers while streamlining its supply chain.
Source: Capital Brief
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Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
