Goanna Print is the latest print company to fail

The continuing plague of company failures has claimed another victim in the iconic Canberra printer that is one of the most awarded in the industry.

The 27-year-old Fyshwick-based printer hit the skids yesterday when it entered voluntary administration. According to administrators, RSM Bird Cameron Partners, the company is still trading with the intention of selling as a going concern.

“The business had some issues that it couldn’t get on top of,” explained Mitchell Herrett, senior manager at RSM Bird Cameron Partners. “The directors were losing sight [of the future] They had expended their personal funds and finances as best they could; it was time to sell it and move on.”

Herrett said that Goanna Print was attempting to sell or merge to avoid calling in the administrators. “They were in negotiations for potential sales or mergers prior to administration, but they didn’t come to fruition,” he said.

It is hoped that a buyer may come forth so that the presses can continue turning and the 18 staff members will not face the grim prospect of finding work elsewhere. The company operated under the control of Phil Abbott, managing director and Gary Taylor, CEO. Neither was available for comment.

A leading printer in terms of awards, Goanna Print won a number of accolades, both local and international, including Sappi Printer of the Year, 2003, a Benjamin Franklin award along with both PAGE and Galley Club awards.

A well-placed source within the ACT said that the news is a massive blow to the industry. “They had a niche market in the high end of Canberra’s print area so there will be some other printers who want to move into that space,” said the source.

Two creditors’ meetings are scheduled for 1 October.