Receiver appointed for fruit, nut company

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 37

Receiver appointed for fruit, nut company

PA Auckland A dried fruit market has wizened for an Auckland entrepreneur, Mr Robin Warner, whose company, Warner Holdings, Ltd, has been put into receivership. The receiver, Mr Peter Howell, was appointed by the National Bank. Mr Warner received extensive publicity in February as the New Zealand franchise-holder for the British firm of Whitworth. The former Palmerston North baker, who worked for the fruit and nut com-

pany in Britain as a sales representative, predicted that the New Zealand market for Whitworth’s products was worth between $6 million and $lO million a year. Yesterday Mr Howell said it was too early to give an over-all assessment of the company’s position. “We have negotiations in train with an interested party which should result in the marketing concept being carried out.” Mr Howell described Mr Warner as an entrepreneu-

rial manager with considerable ambition.

“He took on an enterprise with very substantial potential but rather limited capital. The development of the business fell behind his capital resources, and caused a very difficult liquidity problem.”

Warner Holdings’ North Shore premises have been closed since the receiver was appointed, but are expected to reopen later this week.

Mr Warner declined to comment yesterday.