Insolvency specialists Dean Willcocks Shepard were appointed as voluntary administrators on 14 May, with a creditors meeting scheduled for 25 May.

Administrator Adam Shepard told ProPrint that the Arncliffe, Sydney-based printer has let a number of staff go.

He said he was confident of being able to sell the business, though added that it was still early days for the administration.

Superfine’s directors did not return calls.

Last month, it was revealed that Superfine was teaming up with Focus Press to set up ‘Superfine in Focus’.

A shelf company owned by Focus Press managing director David Fuller was renamed ‘Superfine In Focus’ on 14 April.

Speaking yesterday, Fuller told ProPrint that Superfine director Ken Mapledoram had apologised to him and that the joint venture was on hold.

“Superfine in Focus was all ready to go, and I really didn’t see all this coming,” he said.

“Equipment is what kills most printers and one of the reasons we went into the joint venture was to help Superfine use its equipment.”

Fuller added that Superfine had been unable to use its 10-colour Heidelberg perfector because it had shifted due to building work in the premises next door. He said Superfine was waiting for an insurance claim.

Administrator Adam Shepard confirmed this was the case and said it had put Superfine in a very difficult situation.

A unnamed source close to Superfine described the difficulty. “It is like a delivery guy having an accident with his van and the insurance company saying that he isn’t allowed to do any more deliveries in his van until the claim was finalised.”

“It is a very tough time for Superfine.”

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