Fender Group seeks buyers

Administrators of fallen reseller seek buyer for the company's assets as all 13 staff are made redundant

Open to offers: MCR are looking for a buyer for Fender's assets

All 13 staff of reseller the Fender Group have been made redundant as administrators seek a buyer for the debt-laden firm’s assets.

The company appointed Sallyanne Pitt and Andrew Stoneman of MCR as joint administrators on 8 October. The Eastbourne-based IT, printer and consumer electronics VAR sold products from vendors including Apple, Brother, BenQ, BT, Canon, Epson, HP and Panasonic.

Founded in 1991, it initially specialised in selling typewriters. In addition to its IT portfolio, it sold gadgets, consumables, office products, exercise equipment and kitchen and home appliances.

In the 12 months to 31 March 2008 it made £158,000 net profit on sales of £15.5m, more than £1m of which were in Europe. Pitt said: “We are trying to find a buyer for [Fender’s] assets.”

One industry source told CRN the firm has “left a lot of debt in the channel”.