Geon's Perth business, comprising digital and offset printing, has been bought by a management team led by general manager Ian Smith.
Smith is the long time leader of the business, he was general manager of Advance Press as it was before Geon bought it as part of Gresham's grand plan, which has now turned to dust.
Speaking to Australian Printer Smith says, "The Perth business never failed."
He says, "We have done this because it's a good business with great staff, customers and suppliers, and we look forward to carry on the great work of the last 75 years."
The purchase by Smith and his team is good news for the staff, with most of the 63 employees expected to keep their jobs, in contrast with the rest of the Geon empire, which has seen massive job losses as businesses have been closed in the case of the Queensland sites or relocated as will be with NSW and VIC.
Smith says the Geon name will go, he says, "We will discuss a new name in the future."
According to the receiver there was plenty of interest in Geon's Perth business, with the management bid adjudged by the receivers to be 'the best value for all stakeholders.'
The sale of the Perth business leaves only the future of Geon's Tasmanian operation uncertain.
