Keldia Printings administrators were asking for bids from Alito Colour, Thomas Potts, Bridge Direct and Delta Display to hit their desks today.

The firms are in the running to buy the Walthamstow commercial printer, which went into administration in June (PrintWeek, 6 July).

Thomas Potts chairman Stephen Hargrave declined to comment while Delta managing director Mike Phillips admitted he was interested but hadnt decided what action to take.

At Keldias second meeting of creditors on Wednesday (3 October), creditors voted to continue the administration and seek a sale as quickly as possible.

However, potential buyers will not have many assets to play with after a source said Lloyds UDT was taking out the firms five-, six- and eight-colour presses, although joint administrator Andrew Andronikou said the eight-colour would remain while plans were being finalised.

The firms first meeting of creditors on Friday 28 September heard that Keldia had been running its presses through the administration without negotiating licences for the period.

Andronikou admitted that while he had secured the firms client base, he hadnt negotiated with leasing companies Lombard, Lloyds UDT and HSBC. Monthly leasing costs were said to be 32,000, 12,000 and 14,000.

Lombard and Lloyds UDT said Andronikou had made no serious attempt to negotiate licences. Prior to the company being placed in administration, it already owed Lloyds UDT 1.5m and Lombard 1.1m.

Andronikou said he was only prepared to pay interest on the lease for the 10-colour Speedmaster and not cover depreciation costs, despite stating that the press had been the only one in full use. But at the second meeting he said he had agreed to pay Lombard 63,000 for the first three months of administration.

Story by Gordon Carson