Maclean Computing in liquidation
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First liquidator report from Waterstone Insolvency due on July 19
By Sim Ahmed and Reseller News staff | Auckland | Tuesday, 17 July, 2012 | 73 Comments
Auckland-based IT company Maclean Computing is in liquidation, according to the Companies Office.
The Companies Office says Waterstone Insolvency was appointed as liquidators on July 13, with the first liquidator report due on July 19.
Waterstone will take over the management and running of the business, including the handling of its assets.
It also has final say on whether Maclean will continue to trade, a decision likely to affect Maclean’s clients, which it claims on its website to include Hubbards, Les Mills International, Hyundai, and more than 100 other businesses.
The government’s Insolvency and Trustee Service says most businesses put into liquidation usually close down.
The future of Maclean’s 50 staff also looks precarious, as the liquidators will seek to reduce cost to best make returns for Maclean’s outstanding creditors.
Computerworld is seeking comment from Maclean and Waterstone.
Last year, Maclean announced that it was outsourcing its procurement business to Acquire, a move that CEO Chris Maclean at the time described as a "win-win for everyone".
“As our market, and our business matures, we are keen to focus our resources on the areas that offer customers the best return. Our core strength is in building and supporting Rock Solid IT foundations, not procurement, so this partnership delivers an improved service for customers and a tighter focus for ourselves,” he said at the time.
Back in 2010, after 16 years in business, Maclean unveiled a new logo and tagline, 'rock solid IT'.
“It reflects our core focus which is concentrating on the infrastructure and foundation side," said marketing manager Andrew Charlesworth at the time of the announcement. "The tagline suggests that if you have a solid foundation than you can build the rest of the business on top of that.”
In February this year, Maclean passed on its smaller customers to Belton IT. At the time, Maclean described the move as the second part of a two-part process, with the first being to pass procurement to Acquire. “The first phase of this strategy implementation was our decision to partner with Acquire for product procurement. Whilst clearly an important part of any relationship with customers, we don’t believe that procurement is a core part of our value proposition. We also believe that procurement (the transaction itself as opposed to the design) has been largely commoditised, which means the primary decision factor becomes price rather than the transaction service," said Maclean.
Comments
Nice people
When I was looking for work Allan gave me a chance - and everyone at the company was supportive.
Whilst I left there several years ago - I firmly believe he and his family are genuine people who are amongst the few in the IT industry who believed in proper customer service, procedures and motivate their staff. Also for many many years they have provided employment and support to lots of families.
All companies have good and bad times and businesses in IT have to take risks if they want to succeed and - probably more often that not - some do not work out - I am sure they will learn from this and I hope they get up and try again, provide more employment for people who need it and don't get disheartened.
Sad to hear as it was a great place. Hope everyone gives the staff and family the chance they deserve.
I am not related to Maclean company or people any more, but they gave me a chance when I needed it.
Posted by Anonymous at 19:13:47 on August 2, 2012
Whilst I left there several years ago - I firmly believe he and his family are genuine people who are amongst the few in the IT industry who believed in proper customer service, procedures and motivate their staff. Also for many many years they have provided employment and support to lots of families.
All companies have good and bad times and businesses in IT have to take risks if they want to succeed and - probably more often that not - some do not work out - I am sure they will learn from this and I hope they get up and try again, provide more employment for people who need it and don't get disheartened.
Sad to hear as it was a great place. Hope everyone gives the staff and family the chance they deserve.
I am not related to Maclean company or people any more, but they gave me a chance when I needed it.
Posted by Anonymous at 19:13:47 on August 2, 2012
Sorry state of affairs
Some observations from someone who has worked with and against Maclean's and has watched the sniping from all sides with interest and disgust.
1) Alan is without doubt one of the most honest, upstanding, handshake business, good bugga kiwi's in this industry. It makes me very sad to see HIS good name dragged through the mud in this way, the bloke deserves better from his peers and the industry. I know of noone who has worked with, for or against him that has a bad word to say about him and I would struggle to say that about anyone else in this industry, myself included!
2) Macleans were in a spiral way before the "issue's" and Chris needs to shoulder a lot of the blame, he wanted growth and made some mistakes, but I would ask who hasn't ? he wanted to make "his" name and overextended and made some poor decisions, but I have seen some other major players (shall we "name and shame them" too ?) do the same at far more detriment to the industry and its community than Macleans have done.
3) A little more contrition and a lot more humilty may have served him better, but, and its a big but, he doesnt have to, there is no law that he has to be a "nice guy" there is no legal precedent for not being a bit of a XXXX.
I am sure when this is all over he will be shown to have acted legally and ethically. I make that supposion based on the fact that I don't think Alan would have been party to anything else.
I personally do not care for Chris, wanted to say that upfront lest the haters come out and acuse me of being his best buddy, but I find some of the slurs and insults posted on this site outrageous.
Basically, just because you don't like the guy making sweeping acusations of impropriety or collusion, slandering his (and by implication his father's) good names and using Computerworld as a rant fest is just low.
I would ask each of the posters here to ask yourself one question, what would you have done ?
Yes, customers are affected.
Yes, suppliers are affected.
Yes, vendors are affected.
Yes, there staff are affected.
Do you not think that maybe a nice old guy who has given more to this industry than 99.9% of the haters out there has been affected by this too. Ignore the financial burden of a guy who has on many, many occasions (mostly hidden from view) made good staff's wages from his own pocket. Who has provided direct jobs for more people across this industry than any other family business and who's name has up until the last couple of years been a by word for good old kiwi style business.
Alan, I know your heart must be breaking at this and just wanted to say those who know you will always have a firm handshake, a glass of red and a couple of yarns for you.
Chris, you have the opperuntity now to show those who want to drag you down why you have your father's name and turn this around and I wish you well in doing so.
To "Anon.", I know mostly these are people who are in the industry and who like me (I know I am posting without a name) are in positions where they cannot have comments attributed to them, but I ask you this.
I would say every word of this post directly to Chris, Alan or anyone in the industry's face.
Would you ?
Posted by Saddened by my peers at 19:42:16 on July 25, 2012
1) Alan is without doubt one of the most honest, upstanding, handshake business, good bugga kiwi's in this industry. It makes me very sad to see HIS good name dragged through the mud in this way, the bloke deserves better from his peers and the industry. I know of noone who has worked with, for or against him that has a bad word to say about him and I would struggle to say that about anyone else in this industry, myself included!
2) Macleans were in a spiral way before the "issue's" and Chris needs to shoulder a lot of the blame, he wanted growth and made some mistakes, but I would ask who hasn't ? he wanted to make "his" name and overextended and made some poor decisions, but I have seen some other major players (shall we "name and shame them" too ?) do the same at far more detriment to the industry and its community than Macleans have done.
3) A little more contrition and a lot more humilty may have served him better, but, and its a big but, he doesnt have to, there is no law that he has to be a "nice guy" there is no legal precedent for not being a bit of a XXXX.
I am sure when this is all over he will be shown to have acted legally and ethically. I make that supposion based on the fact that I don't think Alan would have been party to anything else.
I personally do not care for Chris, wanted to say that upfront lest the haters come out and acuse me of being his best buddy, but I find some of the slurs and insults posted on this site outrageous.
Basically, just because you don't like the guy making sweeping acusations of impropriety or collusion, slandering his (and by implication his father's) good names and using Computerworld as a rant fest is just low.
I would ask each of the posters here to ask yourself one question, what would you have done ?
Yes, customers are affected.
Yes, suppliers are affected.
Yes, vendors are affected.
Yes, there staff are affected.
Do you not think that maybe a nice old guy who has given more to this industry than 99.9% of the haters out there has been affected by this too. Ignore the financial burden of a guy who has on many, many occasions (mostly hidden from view) made good staff's wages from his own pocket. Who has provided direct jobs for more people across this industry than any other family business and who's name has up until the last couple of years been a by word for good old kiwi style business.
Alan, I know your heart must be breaking at this and just wanted to say those who know you will always have a firm handshake, a glass of red and a couple of yarns for you.
Chris, you have the opperuntity now to show those who want to drag you down why you have your father's name and turn this around and I wish you well in doing so.
To "Anon.", I know mostly these are people who are in the industry and who like me (I know I am posting without a name) are in positions where they cannot have comments attributed to them, but I ask you this.
I would say every word of this post directly to Chris, Alan or anyone in the industry's face.
Would you ?
Posted by Saddened by my peers at 19:42:16 on July 25, 2012
What about the Staff
In all of this no one has mentioned the staff, it has caused them tremendous stress, not getting paid on time and have to delay bills. This has affected their lives. Have not heard anything.
Posted by ... at 21:48:23 on July 24, 2012
Posted by ... at 21:48:23 on July 24, 2012
Comments
Please note that comments which are considered to be in breach of defamation law will be deleted.
The comments thread on this article will be closed for the remainder of the weekend and re open on Monday.
Sarah Putt
Editor
Computerworld
Posted by Sarah Putt at 14:20:51 on July 21, 2012
The comments thread on this article will be closed for the remainder of the weekend and re open on Monday.
Sarah Putt
Editor
Computerworld
Posted by Sarah Putt at 14:20:51 on July 21, 2012
Stay Strong
I hope that Maclean computing rises again, quality company and quality people.
Posted by Dero at 14:55:15 on July 20, 2012
Posted by Dero at 14:55:15 on July 20, 2012
Stay Strong
So you are OK with the assets of the old Mcclean being "sold" to Chris and the creditors being left with nothing....? What happens to them, their families, their businesses and their futures? Quality..?I don't think so...
Posted by Legal at 18:21:58 on July 20, 2012
Posted by Legal at 18:21:58 on July 20, 2012
You Can't Count the Macleans Out
I have known Allan for 30 years, having dealt with him in business since his days in the Wellington apparel industry and have kept in touch since then. A kinder and more sincere man I have yet to meet. I know he, along with Chris, will be gutted by what has happened to their company -a company that has provided employment and services to a lot of people over a lot of years. 500k off the bottom line is not chickenfeed; and, althought management ulimately have to take the blame, devious individuals will always find a way to rip you off if you give them a position of trust.Bad luck plays a part. Good luck guys and I will not hesitate to deal with you in the future.
Posted by Tim B at 8:18:03 on July 19, 2012
Posted by Tim B at 8:18:03 on July 19, 2012
CEO posting on this forum
I am disgusted and shocked that the CEO of a company has the time to entertain the negative and positive remarks on this forum. Don't you have more important issues at hand to deal with ?
Perhaps all your time should be spent on damage control to your customers and staffs
Posted by Steve at 6:47:46 on July 19, 2012
Perhaps all your time should be spent on damage control to your customers and staffs
Posted by Steve at 6:47:46 on July 19, 2012
CEO posting on this forum
So you think the CEO shouldn't defend himself?
Posted by Anonymous at 8:19:58 on July 19, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 8:19:58 on July 19, 2012
Who will be next
Is this the start of a domino effect? Who will be next?
Posted by Anonymous at 21:24:58 on July 18, 2012
Posted by Anonymous at 21:24:58 on July 18, 2012
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