Joint liquidators Daniel Lopresti and Simon Miller are “urgently seeking parties who may be interested in making offers to purchase” the business or assets of Hindmarsh-based knitwear maker Silver Fleece.

The company – best known for making the Australian cricket team’s woollen tops – went into liquidation on Wednesday after more than 70 years of creating custom uniforms for school students and tailor-made knitwear for businesses, organisations and sporting clubs.

In a statement shared with InDaily, the joint liquidators said that due to the company’s financial position, they were “unable to continue trading and operations have now ceased”.

“The company employed over 20 staff, many of them long-term employees, who have been informed of the closure of the business,” the liquidators said.

“The liquidators are actively liaising with all affected employees and will continue to provide assistance to employees through the liquidation process.”

Inside Silver Fleece’s Hindmarsh factory. Photo: CityMag.

Lopresti said it was “disappointing to see a well-known and respected brand unable to continue in the marketplace”, and added the company collapsed due to “the high costs associated with manufacturing locally”.

The company was wound up on Wednesday, with liquidators appointed that evening.

All of Silver Fleece’s products were made at its factory in Hindmarsh. The company is owned by South Australian Catherine Barton who bought the business in 2003, and was founded in 1951 by WWII prisoner of war and Yugoslavian immigrant Tim Ivanovich.

Silver Fleece has been operating in Adelaide for more than 70 years. Photo: CityMag.