ABC Printing called in the liquidators in March under $3.7 million of debt.

The company had tried to rebuild after the 2011 Queensland floods, which caused $2 million worth of damage to its site in the suburb of Milton.

Print Approach managing director Tom Eckersley told ProPrint he had paid a five-figure sum for ABC’s customer list, which contained about 400 clients, their job history and their artwork.

Eckersley called the move a “punt” as he wasn’t able to look at the list before he bought it, although he was told how many clients it included and the value of their business.

The clients will have a familiar face to deal with: Print Approach has appointed former ABC director Alan Atterton to a new account manager role.

Eckersley said Atterton had formed good relationships with the clients.

“A lot of people have relied heavily on him during the ABC years and he’s got a wealth of experience in many areas,” said Eckersley.

He said the transition was far from seamless, as it had taken seven or eight weeks before ABC’s phone, fax and website were transferred to Print Approach.

“Every day the phone wasn’t being answered was a problem,” he said.

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