It’s the kind of message no one wants to receive: a sudden, cryptic text telling you to drop everything and attend a compulsory meeting—no explanation, just a sense of foreboding.

For 140 hardworking Australians, that message marked the end of their jobs and the closure of a business that had been a staple in the community for three decades.

Once Australia’s largest distributor of second-hand office furniture, it has closed its doors after 30 years of operation.

The news broke in the most jarring way possible: staff across New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia received a text on Friday morning instructing them not to go to their usual job sites, but instead to attend an urgent all-staff meeting.

There, the devastating announcement was made—everyone was out of a job, effective immediately.

The text message simply read, 'Notice of important company announcement. Do not go to the job site first,' offered no hint of the storm about to hit.

Around 140 staff members were suddenly sacked from Egans after an all-staff meeting. Credit: YouTube

For many, it was a gut punch, especially given the company’s long-standing reputation as a family-run business with a strong commitment to sustainability and the circular economy.

In a statement to the media, Director Andrew Egan expressed his heartbreak over the closure.

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He cited 'pervasive cost increases' and a 'revenue slump' that, in his words, is 'affecting every business in Australia.'

Despite their best efforts, the financial pressures proved insurmountable.

Egans wasn’t just any business. Over the years, it developed a world-leading model for reusing and recycling office furniture, saving an astonishing two million kilograms of furniture from landfills.

Their approach was so effective that universities and major corporations across the country adopted it, and many are now left scrambling for alternatives.

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'Our staff have worked on this data-backed, fully resolved model for decades. Like us, they are heartbroken,' Mr Egan said.

'Given there is no alternate model in the market, this is as difficult for our customers as it is for our staff. Our thoughts go out to the 140 staff and their families who are affected by this.'

The closure was so sudden that even the company’s website had already vanished from the internet, leaving customers and partners in the lurch.

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Egans provided various services, from office fit-outs and furniture disposal to storage and transportation, serving high-profile clients like the South Australian Government, the Fair Work Ombudsman, and Adelaide University.

Unfortunately, Egans’ collapse is not an isolated incident. Many Australian businesses—especially those in logistics, retail, and services—are feeling the pinch from rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and changing work patterns post-pandemic.

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For older Australians, this news may feel all too familiar, echoing the economic downturns of decades past.

But what makes this story particularly poignant is the human cost.

The loss is immediate and personal for the 140 staff and their families. Many had dedicated years, even decades, to the company, building not just a career but a community.

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For those affected, the path forward may feel uncertain. Support is available if you or someone you know has experienced a sudden job loss.

Services such as Centrelink, job placement agencies, and financial counselling can guide you through the transition.

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If you're approaching retirement, it's also a good idea to review your superannuation and entitlements to make sure you're receiving all the assistance you're eligible for.

Egans’ closure also raises questions about the future of sustainable business in Australia.

Their circular economy model was ahead of its time, showing that it’s possible to do good for the planet and run a successful business.

As we face increasing environmental challenges, it’s more important than ever to support companies that prioritise sustainability.

Key Takeaways

• Around 140 staff across Australia were suddenly sacked from Egans, the country’s largest second-hand office furniture distributor, after being told to attend an all-staff meeting.
• Employees had no warning before learning about their job losses, finding out only at the compulsory meeting following a text message.
• The collapse of the 30-year-old family business was blamed on rising costs and a slump in revenue, with the director describing staff and customers as 'heartbroken'.
• Egans had played a key role in championing a circular economy and had saved two million kilograms of office furniture from landfills, providing services to major universities and government organisations.

Have you ever received a sudden message like this? How did you cope with the shock and uncertainty? Do you think enough is being done to support workers and promote sustainable business models in Australia? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

 

[Benny's Light]

This is sad for the workers, customers and the environment. So many office and work places refurbish continuously and toss out perfectly good furniture. Great idea to on sell and reuse/repurpose perfectly good furnishings elsewhere in need. Shame the business could not have been restructured or sold to continue the business in some way to fulfill a need.

 

[June E]

very sad ! another business bites the dust.
Centrelink should employ more workers now they could get very busy as more business's close !

 

[BellaB18]

My husband worked for a company back in the late 1980s. Five days before Christmas he and some other tradesmen were called into the office. They were given a cheque for $5,000 each and told they were being made redundant. My husband drove around for a couple of hours before coming home not knowing how to tell me. We had a mortgage two young children and l was doing a about 15 hours work a week. This company my husband worked for he gave more than blood sweat and tears too. It nearly broke our marriage as he gave them everything. Then after a huge job which put him under so much stress they sent him and another younger fellow off all around Victoria doing a brand of Hardware stores. The boys stayed away from home weeks on end. It totally changed the man l had married. Then this Friday just before Christmas. They were told goodbye.. It broke my husband for a long time. A huge lesson was learnt. You are just a number. You are there to work your butt off and make money for the company.
After this happened he chose to become self employed. We never got rich but he was so much more appreciated and was called back by clients many a time. He only advertised for one month the rest of his work was word of mouth for the next 30 years.
The biggest compliment one lady paid him. She said you are not just a tradesman..You are a craftsman at your trade.
Kind regards to all Vicki

 

[Towing]

I thought notifications had to be either verbal or in writing (perhaps computer). I certainly would not rely on text. Some that look genuine can be scams, the same as some emails that the letterhead has been stolen

 

[Squizzy1]

Inflation is driving this, and as the RBA's supposed only tool to curb it is to remove people's ability to spend, it resonates down the chain to business closures, unemployment and debt, period.

 

[Ann Melling]

I thought notifications had to be either verbal or in writing (perhaps computer). I certainly would not rely on text. Some that look genuine can be scams, the same as some emails that the letterhead has been stolen

The text was to tell them to attend a meeting - they were told verbally

 

[Viellarde]

I thought notifications had to be either verbal or in writing (perhaps computer). I certainly would not rely on text. Some that look genuine can be scams, the same as some emails that the letterhead has been stolen

I read it as a request to attend a compulsory meeting, where they were told the news face to face. So, all above board but still 'on the spot'.

 

[Ann Melling]

we had 1 of our Nursing Homes closed in March. A public meeting was held back in November (just 4 days after the announcement) last year as residents had been given notice. It was awful for a country area where families were told that it was not being closed until everyone had somewhere to close but they sacked staff including the manager and pushed families to find a new home for the parents/grandparents. Some even interstate (at least 8 hrs drive - so won't be visited every day by loved ones) some had renovations made to their homes so they would have somewhere to go & then I know one who's mother with dementia then had a stroke after being made to move & ended up in hospital & moved to another Nursing home 1 hr away. Might not be a large number of people who lost their jobs but when you think this was just 1 of many rural towns in NSW that lost a Nursing home the numbers stack up. It was disgusting how residents, families & staff were treated.

 

[BellaB18]

we had 1 of our Nursing Homes closed in March. A public meeting was held back in November (just 4 days after the announcement) last year as residents had been given notice. It was awful for a country area where families were told that it was not being closed until everyone had somewhere to close but they sacked staff including the manager and pushed families to find a new home for the parents/grandparents. Some even interstate (at least 8 hrs drive - so won't be visited every day by loved ones) some had renovations made to their homes so they would have somewhere to go & then I know one who's mother with dementia then had a stroke after being made to move & ended up in hospital & moved to another Nursing home 1 hr away. Might not be a large number of people who lost their jobs but when you think this was just 1 of many rural towns in NSW that lost a Nursing home the numbers stack up. It was disgusting how residents, families & staff were treated.

Oh Ann, that is dreadful. You really can't get your head around it. Each staff member each resident and their families. So heartbreaking for all concerned. Everyone's job is important. I am so sorry you, your work colleagues, residents and families were all put in this dreadful position. I truly hope everyone concerned is managing the best they can.
Kind regards Vicki