ABNote apologies for Standard Publishing mix up

Standard Publishing House talks back to claims that security printer ABNote obtained a winding-up order against its Absolute Mail division.

Standard Publishing House’s managing director, Neil Armstrong (pictured) told Print21 that the matter is now settled and he has received an apology from ABNote – a major force in global security printing.

“Commercial disputes often happen and are mostly settled by negotiation. It can be very damaging for a company if rumour, misleading information and speculation gets published to the broader business community,” he said.

“The facts of this matter are that ABNote did a time-critical plastic card job for one of Absolute Mail’s largest customers, but delivered it late. As a consequence, Absolute Mail lost that customer’s business. In October 2009, Absolute Mail advised ABNote of this and asked for a credit or discount.”

Armstrong added that Absolute Mail is a division of Standard Publishing House, not a separate company. “The Pty Ltd entity is just a shell to protect the trading name. When ABNote decided to sue for this disputed debt, they incorrectly filed against Absolute Mail Pty Ltd instead of Standard Publishing House Australia Pty Ltd and so my fellow director and I knew nothing of the judgment until it had been handed down,” he said. “ABNote had won a judgment against a shell, a vacuum, a non-trading entity.”

According to Armstrong, Standard Publishing House advised ABNote of their error and negotiate a settlement – even though their judgment was against a non-trading entity. “We could have allowed the winding-up of Absolute Mail Pty Ltd but we elected to sort the situation out amicably and professionally. This has now been achieved and ABNote has apologised for allowing an influential industry news bulletin to embarrass SPH in the way it has.”

Armstrong said that the episode should serve as a warning to others. “There is a danger for all businesses, given the nature of the legal system, where companies can sue, even the wrong entity, and seek judgment without defence,” he said.

“This can be compounded by ‘trial by media’ where due processes are ignored and the rumour mill – instead of well-investigated journalism – rules the roost.”

Standard Publishing House has been on a growth path this year, recently purchasing Ron Anderson’s Rapid Digital. Armstrong plans on continuing this development, adding that the company would invest, employ and grow in a market that has seen many unfortunate collapses.

“We will not be joining that list,” he said.