Paperlinx Austria in administration

The domino effect continues to ripple across Paperlinx’s European businesses – the group’s Austrian operation has now followed the UK and Benelux into administration.

PrintWeek understands that its Austrian business, PaperNet, had sales of around €50m (£35.8m) and employed circa 70 staff.

In a statement, Paperlinx said attempts to sell the business had proved unsuccessful, leaving the local directors with no choice but to commence the administration process.

“This appointment in Austria highlights the interconnectedness of the Paperlinx European businesses,” the firm stated.

Paperlinx put most of its UK operations into administration at the beginning of the month. Its Benelux business went the same way a fortnight later.

The Australian-headquartered group is still attempting to sell its remaining European businesses located in the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia and Spain.

The loss-making European division had been Paperlinx’s biggest business. It accounted for A$2bn (£1bn) of overall sales of A$2.8bn in Paperlinx’s most recent results.

The court process in Austria began yesterday and the legal formalities around the appointment of an administrator are expected to be completed today (29 April).

Paperlinx shares have risen to A¢3.9 since trading recommenced on 15 April following the group’s voluntary suspension of the stock.