Trouble looms over AWA as it appoints administrators
After 105 years of operations, independent technology service firm AWA has appointed PPB Advisory as administrator.
AWA, initially known as Australasian Wireless Limited before a name change in 1913 to Amalgamated Wireless Australasia, started off as radio manufacturer and radio broadcaster. It delivered the first radio broadcast from the UK to Australia in 1918. By the '70s, the company had expanded into TV manufacturing and broadcasting, too.
Today, it delivers technology services to major enterprise and government organisations, vendors, service providers, integrators, and distributors, including Flight Centre, Hewlett Packard, Dimension Data, and the Department of Defence.
With 250 employees, it currently has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Newcastle, plus a national network of service agents covering more than 700 locations.
Administrator Phil Carter said it will be business as usual while PPB Advisory aims to find a buyer.
"We are currently conducting an urgent review of AWA's business and operations with a view to preparing AWA for sale as a going concern in the short term," he said.
"Our priority is to maintain business as usual in order to ensure AWA's blue chip customer base continues to receive the support and service expected from AWA while we work with management and key stakeholders to achieve the best outcome.
"We appreciate that customers, employees, and other key stakeholders will be concerned about the future, and we will be working to achieve a sale of the business as a going concern in a timely manner."
The administrator said it is looking for expressions of interest for potential buyers for the business and assets.
PPB Advisory said its appointment follows an ongoing review of the business by its directors.