A notice of appointment of Jonathan James Beard and John Walters of Begbies Traynor Central was filed by Gemini Print Southern Ltd’s directors on 10 June, according to the High Court.
The Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex-based business said in a statement earlier this month that 126 staff were made redundant immediately when it closed on 3 June.
Around 10 staff were retained at the site in the short-term to complete existing commitments and orders and Printweek understands a skeleton staff still remains on site now.
The board of Gemini had said in an earlier statement that an accumulation of factors had led to the decision to place the company into administration, including the impact of the Covid pandemic on trading, steep increases in rental and energy costs, and a substantial debt owed to the company that remains unpaid and is likely to become the subject of legal proceedings.
The statement said: “The directors and management have strived in recent months to address the financial issues facing the business but have been unable to secure a solution that would enable the company to continue trading.”
Printweek was further informed at the time by the company that “every effort was made to avoid reaching this point, including seeking a sale of the business” and that Eddisons would be seeking offers on the company’s unencumbered assets.
The auction is currently live, closing from tomorrow morning (18 June), and includes 184 lots covering company cars and vans, Heidelberg cylinders and platens, Epson wide-format printers, a wide range of specialist finishing kit and various warehousing and office equipment. Collection will take place on Thursday and Friday this week.
Established in 1971, Gemini offered print and finishing, mailing and fulfilment, personalisation and data and creative and design services among various others.
Prior to the pandemic, during which production at a Bristol site was ceased, Gemini Print Group had a turnover of just under £20m.
This was reduced due to the impact of the pandemic and in its most recently filed accounts at Companies House, for the year ended 31 July 2022, Gemini’s turnover stood at just over £16.5m.
Printweek has contacted the administrators for comment.
Note: Gemini Digital Colour Ltd in Bridgend, South Wales has no connection with Gemini Print Southern Ltd based in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.
