The administration of the firm, which boasts automotive and telecoms companies among its blue-chip customers, is being handled by PKF, who stepped in last Monday (June 4).

A spokeswoman for PKF said: “The situation to date is that Steve Holgate and Philip Armstrong of PKF have been appointed joint administrators and they are now seeking to find a buyer for the firm as a going concern.”

Rapid Response (Europe) is believed to owe money to a host of companies including paper merchants and finishers.

The firm is understood to still be trading. No redundancies have been reported since the administration.

A letter sent to the creditors by PKF and seen by PrintWeek confirms the administrators’ appointment, but gives few further details.

The letter states: “At present, we are unable to provide any information regarding the financial position of the company. In due course, we will be preparing our proposals for administration.

It is understood that several print companies, particularly in London, may be interested in buying the £10m-turnover company.

However, speculation has emerged that the firm may resurface, as another similarly-named firm was set up by a former director in April.

Companies House records show that a new company, called Rapid Response Press, was set up at an address in Ilford, east London, on 26 April 2007, with Mark Goulding appointed as a director on 30 April 2007. Goulding is a former director of Rapid Response (Europe) and currently works at the company.

Despite Rapid Response Press being less than two months old, it already has a resigned director, Ron Hawkins. He resigned on 30 April, although he is currently also listed as a director of Rapid Response (Europe).

No Rapid Response directors could be contacted for comment as PrintWeek went to press.

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Rapid Response (Europe)
Based East London
2005 turnover £10m
Current directors Harry Falconer, Ron Hawkins, Mark Johnson
Administrators Steve Holgate and Philip Armstrong of PKF
Administrators appointed 4 June
Source: PKF, Companies House