Victorian forme supplier Barella has closed down, with owner Barry Murphy saying ongoing health issues and a declining market causing him to pull the plug.

Barella has been around since it was opened by Murphy in 1976. He says during its heyday they employed seven people, and before they closed it was down to two.

Murphy says, “I am 72 years old, I retired three years ago so I could have a major operation and have a three month recovery period. There is also deterioration within the printing industry.”

[Related: Hygrade goes bust]

An auction is currently being held at the Bayswater location hosted by Liquid Asset Management, Murphy says there are 105 lots up for sale with the auction closing tomorrow afternoon.

Murphy says, “It has been a slow auction so far but we are optimistic.” He has had more joy with his premises, selling both factories, to two different entities.

Earlier this month, Barella competitor Hygrade closed its doors after going into voluntary admission. Rival Able Forme Cutting took on nine of its staff.

Murphy says he heard about Hygrade shutting down, “They have been around for around as I can remember.  Well we are very small in comparison to them. I was trying to do the maths for the wages to employ 50 people, that is a lot of work to be generated, and I do not think it is in Australia.”

He continues saying forme work is going overseas, “I think the work is going overseas it certainly does not help. I know people getting cutting formes and printing formes being done in Asia.”

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