Printer and print manager GWPM has been bought out by similar Melbourne-based company Vertical after running into trouble and falling behind on debts.

GWPM parent company, paper manufacturer AG Paper, is also down for the count, though it is unclear as to whether Vertical bought it as well.

Vertical, which provides printing and finishing, print and inventory management, web-to-print and workflow software, paper sales, and design services from offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, bought the GWPM client list and assets but will not take on its debts.

Industry sources say GWPM was behind on lease and supplier invoices and had not been replying to demand letters. The company is said to be in liquidation.

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It was formerly known as Greg Williams Print Management, started by AFL Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams, before he sold 70 per cent of his stake in 2008 and went into property development and coaching at Carlton.

The most recent chief executive, Peter Barnes, could not be reached for comment. GWPM had its own in-house print facility and made extensive use of trade printers.

Vertical’s website says the company began 15 years ago as a printer in North Melbourne and has grown to a multi-national, multi-service provider, with a presence in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

It is not known exactly why GWPM hit the skids or how much it owes creditors. Neither Peter Barnes nor Vertical has yet returned calls to ProPrint.

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