Assets belonging to Swallowtail Print are now up for auction, following the closure of the company in June. The Norfolk commercial printer registered as Swallowtail Print Limited and operating from leased premises in Drayton near Norwich filed a note of intention to appoint an administrator on 11 June.
Jo Watts and Andrew McTear of McTear Williams & Wood in Norwich were subsequently formally appointed as joint administrators of the company on 24 June and the business ceased trading on the same day. The business fell into administration following a series of challenges which started during the Covid-19 pandemic and after a recent attempt at selling the company ultimately proved unsuccessful. All 44 employees of the c.£5.4million turnover company were made redundant at that time. Swallowtail Print’s statement of affairs has yet to be filed on Companies House.
The administrators told Printweek at the end of June that at that stage they were still receiving information relating to the claims of creditors, although it was anticipated that claims would be “in excess of £1m”.
George Hazell & Co, which specialises in the sale of machinery and business assets, was engaged to assist with maximising Swallowtail’s asset realisations and an auction currently containing 50 lots is now live, with a few smaller items still to be added according to the auction house. Machines up for auction include a Muller Martini Primera MC saddle stitcher, a Horizon AFC-564AKT cross folder which is less than six months old and various other kit including folders, guillotines and laminators from the likes of Heidelberg, Polar and Autobond.
Mark Palmer, auctioneer at George Hazell & Co told Printweek that the condition of the machines if “very good.” “Everything was in working order and being used up to the point of being turned off around six weeks ago when the administrators walked in. It’s good quality equipment.”
Interest in the kit has been seen from both UK and international businesses so far, including from as far afield as India. Viewing of the lots will take place on 19 August from 9:30am to 4:00pm at Swallowtail Print’s Drayton site and the auction will finish on 21 August from 2pm. Following the conclusion of the auction goods removal days will be 2 to 5 September from 8:30am to 4pm.
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7 August 2025