Cathro and Partners have been appointed administrators today for print and direct marketing businesses Reacon Australia and MMW3 Degrees.
One of the administrators Andrew Blundell of Cathro and Partners issued a statement today obtained by Sprinter.
“On 8 April 2025, Andrew Blundell and Simon Cathro of Cathro and Partners were appointed administrators of Reacon Australia and MMW3 Degrees – two well-known print services companies,” the statement said.
“The businesses will continue as usual as we have been presented with a credible restructure proposal that will consolidate the businesses, provide additional resources that include operational expertise and additional working capital to support the restructure which we anticipate will be completed via a Deed of Company Arrangement,” Blundell said in his statement.
Sprinter understands the sale of a third related company – Reacon Group – may be a key part of the “credible restructure of the business” expected by the administrators.
This restructure is expected to include the recent purchase of the FUJIFILM JetPress 1160CF confirmed at drupa in 2024.
All parties wishing to obtain further information should contact: admin@cathropartners.com.au.
Cathro and Partners were also appointed to manage Starleaton when it was placed into voluntary administration.
Reacon Group purchased MMW3degrees in February 2023 after it went into administration in December 2022. The administration followed the death of managing director Laurie Griffiths and the business switching to Jennifer Slarke.
At the time, Recon described itself as offering world-class marketing execution services partnering with global brands.
“The addition of MMW3 Degrees to the Reacon group will benefit existing and future clients who will now enjoy an expanded product offering, centred around technology innovation, regional production and fulfilment capabilities, measured against the highest international standards, namely ISO 27001, 9001, 14001 and PCI-DSS to deliver superior omni-channel campaigns,” the company said.
Commenting on the acquisition at the time, Reacon CEO, Jahangir Khan, said that “today ushers in a new dawn for Reacon, boosting our stronghold within the omni-channel marketing domain in Australasia. Not only will mmw3degrees enhance our direct mail distribution and production capabilities, but also bolster our digital, data-driven communications and fulfilment services offering. Together our mission will be to create a great place for people to work, act responsibly to assist local economies, innovate to create new channels, products and partnerships to support our clients and suppliers across the markets we serve”.
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Westman bought this business at Drupa it seems. The director/s of MMW and Reacon Australia need to look at deception laws. Creditors have been misled. Reacon Group is what the machines were bought under and that’s what Vik has bought. Fuji were aware.
The recent appointment of Cathro & Partners as administrators for Reacon Australia and MMW3 Degrees has raised significant concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest. Reports indicate that Vik from Westmann is funding the administration and intends to propose a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA). Given that administrators are obligated to act in the best interests of all creditors, this financial involvement raises questions about impartiality.
Furthermore, there are indications that other interested parties are not being afforded the same opportunity to propose a DOCA, potentially due to the funding arrangement between Westmann and Cathro & Partners. This situation could undermine the fairness and transparency of the administration process.
In light of these concerns, it’s crucial to question how Cathro & Partners are ensuring an unbiased process that seeks the best outcome for all creditors. Transparency and equal opportunity are fundamental principles in such proceedings, and any deviation from these could have serious implications for the integrity of the administration.
I understand that Cathro & Partners were also appointed administrators of the failed Starleaton business where once again a somewhat questionable Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) was put in place.
With Starleaton MD, Ben Eaton now reinventing himself as a Leadership and Business Management guru, how likely is it that any of the Starleaton employees or creditors will see any of the monies owed to them?