Commander receivers sell-off final company piece

Receivers for ASX-listed integrator, Commander, have sold the last piece of the business to telecoms entity, Communications Australia.

McGrathNicol partner, Jason Preston, said WA-based Communications Australia purchased the enterprise network business and customer accounts as an ongoing concern and had offered positions to 40 of the 80 staff. The enterprise division focused on equipment sales and services to mid-market and enterprise customers.

Commander’s SMB business, which was maintained largely through its franchise network, was acquired by ASX-listed telco, M2, for $19 million in June.

“The [enterprise] business offered similar services to those offered to smaller businesses, but was focused on larger customers and serviced directly by Commander,” Preston said.

He declined to comment on the financial details. Communications Australia will assume responsibility for all accounts under its own branding.

According to its website, Communications Australia designs, assembles and services communications solutions for corporate and government clients. Partners include Telstra, Siemens, Enterasys and Zetron.

The enterprise sale is the last stage of McGrathNicol’s efforts to successfully sell-off Commander’s operations and comes 12 months after its initial appointment.

“As receivers, our job is done – all operating elements have been sold,” Preston said. “Our aim was to always to effect ongoing concerns of the business. Given the market conditions, it took some time, but we got there in the end. “We still have a few staff helping with accounting and wrapping up the final bits and pieces.”

These include transitioning remaining direct connect and frame relay services customers to alternative service providers, Preston said. As previously reported in ARN, receivers opted to shut-off the network after being unable to find a buyer. However, it is understood the decision left several customers struggling to find alternative arrangements before being cut-off on July 31.

Last month, McGrathNicol extended the network shut-off deadline to August 31. Preston said it had written to all customers and was confident all would be successfully transitioned to other suppliers within the new timeframe.

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