Perth-based web development firm IBC Solutions and associated software group Platform Interactive have been placed in administration, just two-and-a-half years after Platform acquired IBC from digital services group BlueFreeway.
Platform Interactive and IBC were placed in the hands of administrator Gideon Rathner and David Coyne of Melbourne-based accounting and insolvency firm Lowe Lippman on April 11.
Rathner is currently in Perth at the group’s head office and was unavailable for comment prior to publication.
Platform Interactive, which was founded by managing director David Barnes in 2003 as a web developer and later became a developer of content management and online marketing systems, boats a number of high profiled clients, including The West Australian, Yahoo!7, Credit Suisse and Metro Trains.
Barnes was unavailable for comment prior to publication.
In November 2008, the company acquired IBC Online Solutions from the then-struggling BlueFreeway for an undisclosed amount. BlueFreeway has since been swallowed by the Hannan family’s IMPG group.
IBC Online Solutions, which has a staff of 20, was founded by Richard Keeves in 1994, has an equally impressive client list, including Spotless Services Australia and range of state and Federal Government departments.
A third company within the group, Tentacle Digital Marketing, does not appear to be in administration at this stage.
The group appears to be trading as normal while administrators start the task of assessing the financial position of the companies.
The first creditors meeting will be held on April 20 in Melbourne.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
