Focus Print Group managing director Mark Shergill has purchased the client list of AP & Prior Print following the ailing company’s liquidation last month. Speaking with Australian Printer, Susan Smart, general manager of Focus Print Group, says the acquisition of the intellectual property of AP & Prior Print will further grow the well established offset business of Focus Print Group. Smart says, “On hearing that the printer had gone into liquidation Mark Shergill approached the administrator – he is a guy who is always open to new ideas and when an opportunity presents itself, he does not hesitate.
Mark Shergill buys AP & Prior Print
“Since most of the equipment was under finance, and those which were not financed will be auctioned, we did not get any of the machines. Also the employees were already laid off before we got to the business.” AP & Prior Print, based on Sydney’s northern beaches, closed its doors last month due to large debts and continuous trading losses in a tough market leaving 50 creditors, including paper merchant KW Doggett, out of pocket according to the appointed liquidator Geoffrey Davis at BCR Advisory. All three staff at the business were terminated when liquidation began. This is the second acquisition by Focus Print Group in the last two weeks, and its eighth in the last two years. Shergill acquired 25-year-old print business Whitehorse Digital and Printing just over a week ago. As well as acquiring Rainbow Printing in February. Liquidator Davis says director of AP & Prior, Kurt Christianson, did not elaborate on why the business collapsed beyond its sustained trading losses, but that downward pressure on prices and work moving offshore were the contributing factors. AP & Prior printed offset brochures, magazines, presentation folders, posters, flyers, stationery and labels on a Komori Lithrone press. Smart says, “We are an offset printer and we can amalgamate Prior’s client list with ours and offer them better services and keep the customers happy.” While Focus Print Group has been moving fast in its aggressive acquisition trail, its third this year, Shergill says he will now focus to grow the company organically. However, he says if he gets an offer or an opportunity presents itself he will not hesitate to take advantage of growing his business. Smart says when Shergill upsized to the current premises in 2013, he had an acquisition plan in mind and he continues to add businesses that he feels are a good fit to the continued growth and expansion of his business model.
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