The big news in print this week was Ovato entering voluntary administration.

Ovato was formed through a mega-merger between the historic Hannan family owned, IPMG, and PMP Ltd – a company that was once part of the Murdoch empire.

Here is a look back at the recent history of the company:

July 21, 2022 – Ovato enters voluntary administration

June 9, 2022 – Opus Group acquires Ovato’s book printing business for $8.5m, gains a $2.5 million Convertible Note which gives it a 14.7% share in Ovato

July 6, 2021 – Ovato closes its residential distribution business

July 1, 2021 – Ovato sells A/NZ retail distribution arms to customer and 16.4% shareholder, magazine publisher Are Media for $15m

July 29, 2021 – Ovato Creative Services, Ovato Technology, Ovato Communications, Ovato Creative Services Clayton and Pacific Intermedia Pty Ltd sold to Hannan business, Ballygriffin Holdings, for $9m – later rebrands as SBM Communications

June 15, 2021: James Hannan replaces Kevin Slaven as Ovato’s CEO

May 4, 2021: Hannan family puts Ovato’s Geebung site in Brisbane on the market

January 13, 2021: Administrators take over four Ovato entities

November 12, 2020: Ovato announces elaborate restructure and recapitalisation plan, announces impending closure of the Clayton, Victoria factory, the loss of 300 jobs with creditors to receive a 50 cent pay deal

August 30, 2020: Ovato posts $108.8m loss in midst of COVID-19

December 11, 2019: Ovato unveils Warwick Farm supersite

February 7, 2019: PMP rebrands to Ovato

February 27, 2018: Former IPMG CEO Kevin Slaven replaces Peter George as PMP CEO

February 17, 2017 – ACCC approves merger of PMP and Hannan-owned IPMG with new entity known as PMP

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