The pipe and bore casing supplier, based on the Darling Downs at Dalby, Queensland. announced at 10.30 am on Thursday it was shut for business, according to a recorded message on Ozcon’s head office phone line.

It will mean the loss of 81 jobs.

In a statement, Ozcon director Kieran Chiverton said the company had “incurred significant losses on a number of specialised welding projects and had also suffered due to the drilling industry downturn across the Australian energy sector”.

“Dalby-based Ozcon Industries Pty Ltd placed in voluntary liquidation at the request of its directors and shareholders,” an Ozcon spokesman said.

Appointed liquidators Duncan Powell said Ozcon management had been negotiating the sale of the business prior to the decision to appoint the joint liquidators.

“These negotiations will be pursued while at the same time the business will be widely offered for sale,” Mr Powell said.

“The Ozcon business will be advertised for sale next week.”

Ozcon Industries is located on the Western Downs in southern Queensland.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said Ozcon had been an award winning family-run business since 2005, growing rapidly from agricultural services into the resources sector.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud said it’s understood that 81 Ozcon employees have lost their jobs.

“I have made contact with my ministerial colleagues including employment minister Michaelia Cash in relation to the Fair Entitlements Guarantee, which is a legislative safety net scheme of last resort with assistance available for eligible employees,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I’ve also alerted human services minister Alan Tudge to make sure our local Centrelink office is fully equipped to also assist those affected.

“Ozcon Industries specialised in industrial, mining and resources based-manufacturing and the Federal Government have some large-scale projects in the works.  Whether it’s the Warrego highway upgrade or the Toowoomba second range crossing, I’ll work to get these fast-tracked to support those affected by this business closure and get people back into local work.”