Beloved VIC drinks maker Billson's enters voluntary administration

The Billson's venue in Beechworth, Victoria. Sourse: Facebook /Billson's

Victorian distillery and tourist attraction Billson’s has entered voluntary administration, after what co-owner Nathan Cowan called “vast and incomprehensible” challenges to the business.

Billson’s, which operates from a historic facility in the north-east Victorian town of Beechworth, reportedly tapped Rob Smith and Matthew Hutton of McGrath Nicol as voluntary administrators on Wednesday.

In a statement shared to social media, Cowan, who took over the Billson’s business in 2017 with his wife Felicity, said he was “shattered” by the decision.

“We’ve tried everything imaginable over the past six months to avoid this situation, including restructuring on two occasions, however we now believe this to be the necessary step for survival.”

The business has enjoyed significant success since the Cowans took over, with its range of colourful vodka-based beverages and fruity cordials now stocked nationwide, and the Beechworth site itself cementing itself as a popular sightseeing destination.

The business counted almost 200 employees in recent years, and held a jobs fair in late 2022 in an attempt to fill 50 extra positions across its brewing, distilling, and operational divisions.

In recent years, Billson’s — which began in 1865, and touts itself as the longest continually-operational beverage manufacturer in Australia — again established itself as a major employer in the Beechworth region.

However, “that growth masked several mistakes we made along the way as our systems and processes failed to keep up,” Cowan said.

The business announced a set of job cuts in February this year, bringing its headcount to around 100, with Cowan citing the cost of living, energy prices, and taxes as key contributors to the decision.

Cowan said the business intends for its venue to remain open seven days a week, and maintain its online store operations through the administration process.

Billson’s voluntary administration is the latest collapse in the Australian brewing and distilling sector, which is struggling with high excise fees, downbeat consumer spending, and the ongoing toll of inflation.

SmartCompany has contacted Smith and Hutton for comment.