Panrix Computers' fate hangs in the balance
Questions mount over the future of Leeds-based PC builder
Leeds-based PC builder Panrix Computers appears to have shut up shop. As CRN went to press, the phone lines were ringing off the hook, the web site was not accepting any transactions and the premises were empty.
The owner of the building in Sheepscar Street, south Leeds, where Panrix rented its premises, told CRN: “[Panrix] has been gone for about a month. The building is empty. They didn’t even hand the keys back to us.”
West Yorkshire police confirmed that there was no stock inside the building, but told CRN it “was not a police matter”.
Many in the channel still associate the name Panrix with the previous Panrix collapse. Founded in 1991 by brothers Gulberg and Simon Panesar, Panrix Electronix entered administrative receivership in May 2001 (CRN, 16 May 2001).
The brothers parted company and Gulberg made an offer for the assets of the company before setting up again as Panrix Technology. This entered into creditors’ voluntary liquidation in June 2002 and was wound up.
According to records at Companies House, a Panrix Limited was incorporated in September 2003 at the same registered address as Panrix Computers. This would appear to be Gulberg’s next venture following the collapse of Panrix Technology. However, in July 2004 he was disqualified from being a director until July 2009 by The Insolvency Service.
Meanwhile, Simon Panesar set up his own business in August 2001, Jadetec Electronics, which focused on selling ultra-small PCs. The business is still trading today, but now sells USB corporate merchandise.
Simon Panesar told CRN: “I don’t know anything about my brother’s business going under. We parted ways in 2001 and no longer speak, even on a personal level.”
Jonathan Wall, marketing director at dabs.com, said: “It’s a really tough market. The major OEMs seem to fight for market share. We’ve seen Elonex go under and obviously others are finding it hard.”
According to several online IT forums, many customers have not received goods ordered from Panrix this year.
>> Further reading: