Starleaton has launched a new website weeks after damning findings from the liquidators of the former company Starleaton Holdings and the re-emergence of the brand and business under a new entity Starleaton Pty Ltd.
The company recently recommenced trading under Starleaton Pty Ltd, operating with the same website address and branding as the former business that entered liquidation in June.
The relaunch has been made possible through the ownership of the Starleaton brand, company name, and intellectual property – all of which have always been held by the company’s original founder, Peter Eaton.
Peter Eaton, father of Ben Eaton, Melissa Spooner (née Eaton), and Josh Eaton, retained ownership of these key assets through his entity, Starleaton Pty Ltd.
The previous entity, Starleaton Holdings Pty Ltd (along with SDS Bidco), which was owned and operated by the three siblings under a license agreement for the brand, initially entered administration.
Despite a last-minute Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA), the business was ultimately placed into liquidation.
On the home page of the new website are brands previously represented by Starleaton including Zünd, Bret Martin, Hahnemühle and Neschen.
However, Zünd is now a fully owned subsidiary in Australia with former Starleaton employee Dale Hawkins appointed as managing director in March 2024. Spicers was appointed distributors for Neschen in January 2024 and named the exclusive distributor of Hahnemühle in June 2024.
The launch of the new website also comes just weeks after liquidators of Starleaton Holdings claim the business was insolvent from at least 1 July 2022 and potentially even earlier.
In the latest report prepared for creditors of Starleaton Holdings by liquidators Andrew Blundell and Simon Cathro of Cathro & Partners, some detailed financial reports indicate the business was trading insolvent from 1 July 2022, and potentially earlier.
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This is going to end in tears…. Again.
The insurers are not supporting and the industry seem to be steering clear.
Whilst BE is out and allegedly training people on leadership??? this still smells of a Phoenix.
Those running the business unfortunately still think that the brand Starleaton has currency. Too many people were burnt. They’d be best to explain that this is new, who’s exactly involved, why they are trying again and distance themselves from the brand.
I feel for BE’s parents who also lost a lot of $