Standard Publishing House shuts down rumours of closure

Neil Armstrong talks back to claims of trouble at Standard Publishing House.

In a rebuttal of the industry rumour-mill, Sydney-based Standard Publishing House’s managing director, Neil Armstrong, told Print21 that his company is trading, shipping print, taking new orders and continuing to employ its staff and not in receivership.

He explained the cause of the rumours began when the SPH building was placed in lock-down last week over rent issues. “In 2008, when Standard Publishing House purchased the presses formerly operated by Planned Print Pty Ltd, in receivership, we did so ‘on-site’ so we could continue operating them from Planned Print’s South Strathfield premises,” he said.

“This sale was completed with St George Bank through the liquidators, PKF, who also sold the building to a property company. Unknown to SPH management, the factory building sale did not complete to PKF’s satisfaction and over last weekend they sought to re-acquire the building in which our presses and business are situated, denying us access to them.”

According to Armstrong, he immediately contacted PKF and commenced negotiations. “SPH is caught in the middle of a building dispute not of its making,” he said. “We are very close to a resolution with PKF to re-occupy the building under an agreed arrangement. PKF has been understanding in this regard. SPH continues to ship completed goods and are outsourcing print where necessary to cater for our customers needs. Our phones and emails are attended and accepting orders and quoting on new work.”

Armstrong told Print21 that he expects a resolution with PKF within 24-48 hours, after which SPH will be working three shifts to catch up on two-three days’ lost production. “We are in fact very busy and have just picked up a major new contract from interstate,” he said.

“The February acquisition of Rapid Digital’s two iGens and Nuveras has opened up short-run digital publishing to us and our ten-colour Speedmaster CD102-10 has never been busier. SPH is in a high growth phase as the economy picks up pace and once our tenancy has been sorted out; we are here to stay.”

Standard Publishing House was established in 1902 and acquired by Neil Armstrong and his business partners in 2007. It has since been active in acquisitions, buying Planned Print’s presses in 2008 and Rapid Digital’s business earlier this year. SPH recently opened a new digital outlet in North Sydney.