PrintWeek has learned that a company called Argo Navis Holdings, which claims to be registered in the British Virgin Islands, has been in contact with at least one print company owner expressing interest in acquiring their business.

In an email seen by PrintWeek, a person called ‘Matthew’ says in the message: “I have called your office a number of times over the past week hoping to speak with you regarding the potential acquisition of your business... If you are interested in discussing this please let me know, our client is a mid-sized print management company looking for production facilities. I am currently travelling but can be contacted via email should you wish to discuss further.” 

The Argo Navis Holdings website is registered to Kevin Dunstall of Cogent B2B.

The website, which bears some similarity to the Cogent B2B site, described the firm as: “Growing through strategic investments in media, engineering and transport.”

It claimed the firm’s executive team has “over 100 years combined commercial experience to identify, turn around and secure the right opportunities” and stated that it has offices in London and New York.

The Argo Navis Holdings telephone number diverts to an answerphone.

The printer who received the email approach said: “Does he really think people are that stupid? I told him to go away, or words to that effect.”

Neither Dunstall nor Argo Navis Holdings has responded to requests for comment.

At the time of publication the Argo Navis Holdings website content that had previously appeared (as pictured below) was no longer online, and the site was diverting back to the domain host.

There is no company called Argo Navis Holdings registered at Companies House, and a number of other companies using the Argo Navis name in various forms are unconnected to Dunstall.

Argo Navis was one of the constellations studied by Greek astronomers, and was also the name of the boat used by Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to fetch the Golden Fleece.

Separately, workers at Dunstall’s failed mailing business Global MP Mailing, have been informed that the business will be put into liquidation on 4 August. A former worker at the business told PrintWeek that Dunstall has told staff that he will pay the £6,000 required for the process.

The employees were left in limbo when the company effectively ceased trading after the larger Global MP operation went into administration at the beginning of July.

Have you been contacted by Argo Navis Holdings? Please forward any correspondence to jo.francis@markallengroup.com.