Administrators move in as SOS (NW) collapses

Press kit supplier Service Offset Supplies North West (SOS (NW)) has gone into administration.

Leslie Ross and Matthew Dunham of insolvency practitioner Grant Thornton were appointed on 21 January 2011, with staff of the Bolton-based business made redundant the same day.

As PrintWeek went to press, a number of employees were helping to clear stock, but the company had ceased trading.
Grant Thornton’s Emily Smith, who was on site, said that the administrator had "looked around" but did not expect a sale of the business.

Two of SOS (NW)’s sales staff have been taken on by Loughton, Essex-based Service Offset Supplies.

The two firms were unconnected, but had cooperated throughout SOS (NW)’s 31-year existence, and Service Offset Supplies is unaffected by the administration.

Service Offset Supplies managing director Michael Manzi said: "Because of the close relationship between previous directors, where possible we are trying to sort out continuity of supply on similar terms to SOS (NW)’s. We are also advising their customers where we can.

"We will not be buying the business, but hopefully we can match the quality of services offered by SOS (NW)."