Business - Appointments

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions Europe has appointed Jimmy Nicholls as Direct Sales Manager for its Avery Graphics-brand product range in the UK and Ireland. Based in the UK, he reports directly to Peter Koomen, General Sales Manager Europe, Direct Channel, at divisional headquarters in Hazerswoude, The Netherlands.

Peter Koomen comments, "Jimmy is a highly-experienced sales professional who has built an enormous knowledge bank working with other international companies in the self-adhesive graphics sphere.   He has a great track record, and we are pleased to welcome him to our team."

Jimmy is married with two daughters, and lives in Suffolk.

Heidelberg USA has announced a series of structural and organisational changes intended to reinforce its strong position in the print media marketplace. These include a realignment of its regional office facilities and key regional personnel in certain parts of the country in order to raise the level of support for its customers.

"This realignment presents Heidelberg with a unique opportunity to achieve greater growth and extend even more effective, efficient service and support by matching the skills of our personnel with the evolving needs of our customers and our expanding product portfolio," said Jim Dunn, president of Heidelberg USA.

New appointments include:

Andy Rae, formerly Southern Divisional Director for Heidelberg UK, recently assumed the position of Senior Vice President-Equipment, Lead Market Atlanta. In this position, Andy will have responsibility for the development and execution of programs covering Digital Print Solutions, Sheetfed, Commercial Postpress, and Postpress Packaging.  He also will have responsibility for the North American Printing and Packaging Technology Center (NAPPTC) in Kennesaw. 

John Rocker will take over responsibility of leading the field sales organisation as Senior Vice President, Sales. Ed Young will move to the position of Vice President, National Accounts to focus on the special needs of Heidelberg's largest customers. John has been with Heidelberg for 29 years, rising through the ranks to become a Regional Vice President in 2009. In his new position, John will oversee Heidelberg's four sales regions, with the Regional Vice Presidents and the Vice President, National Accounts reporting to him.

Dan Maurer has taken on responsibility for Heidelberg's digital portfolio as Vice President, Product Management Digital Print and Postpress. In addition to his ongoing leadership of the Commercial Postpress Product Management Team, Dan will serve as Digital Print Solutions Business Driver. His responsibilities will include the Ricoh Print Solutions, VUTEk Grand-Format Solutions, and additional products that are being developed to meet customer demand in this growing market space.

Mutoh has appointed Mike Arias as Mutoh America Inc.'s western regional sales engineer. Arias' experience with sales and technical support in the wide-format industry makes him a perfect fit for his new position with Mutoh.
 
Working under the guidance of the director of sales, Gary Rudnick, Arias' main responsibilities will include product training for Mutoh dealers, maintaining equipment in the Torrance, California office demo room and working with the regional sales manager to implement trade shows, open houses and customer demonstrations.
 
Prior to his position with Mutoh, Arias was the western regional service manager at GEI Calgraph for six years. Arias has an extensive background in sales and technical support through previous positions at Roland DGA and Océ. He is excited to be on the Mutoh team and help increase sales and customer service in the region.
 
"I have worked for many companies in the wide-format industry, but none that have the revolutionary products that Mutoh has," shares Arias. "The Mutoh line is innovative and constantly growing; it gives us a great opportunity to be on the forefront of different industries including textiles, sign and many others. I am looking forward to increasing territory productivity by supporting our dealers and increasing brand awareness."

Picon - the UK association of print industry manufacturers and suppliers - has appointed Gerry Mulvaney, Affinity + Relationship Director for The Danwood Group Ltd, to the Picon Council.

Commenting on the appointment Peter Morris, Chairman of Picon, said “It's important that the Picon Council represents our full membership and the broader UK supplier landscape. Gerry brings extensive contemporary digital print industry knowledge and energy and will be a valuable asset to the work we do.”

Gerry Mulvaney has been a Picon member for a number of years, and was instrumental in setting up the Picon Digital Focus Group in 2009. This group encompasses the country's leading digital print engine, software and finishing suppliers who meet regularly to discuss and tackle topical and critical industry issues, trends and needs.

He has vast print industry experience including 23 years at Litho Supplies (starting as Product Manager and finishing as Executive Director). He joined Danwood in 2005 to set up the Graphics and Production Systems Division as MD, and since April this year has concentrated on Affinity +, Danwood’s partnership programme.

“I very much represent UK digital print engine suppliers on the Council and my appointment is a reflection of the significance of their presence in the Industry today”, said Gerry. “Picon is an important and dynamic organisation which gives members a strong understanding of the industry through its collective intelligence and networking between the leading industry suppliers across the full spectrum of technologies.”

In addition to Gerry, today the Picon Council comprises: Peter as Chairman, plus: Bob Usher, Apex Digital; Tim Klemz, Compact Engineering; George Clark, Heidelberg; Ron Chambers, Kadant; Christian Knapp, KBA; Robert Flather, Kolbus; Neil Sutton, Komori; Quen Baum, Morgana; Andreas Schillinger, Muller Martini; and Brian Filler, Screen UK.

 

Roland DGA Corp. has announced several promotions and new additions to its product management and marketing teams that further strengthen its support for its core product offerings while also positioning the company for growth within new vertical market segments.

Andrew Oransky, Director of Marketing and Product Management

In his new role, Oransky will continue to direct product management and take on the new responsibility of overseeing the company's marketing, communications and strategic planning. Having joined Roland in 2008, Oransky most recently served as director of product management. His background includes nearly 15 years of experience in product management and sales for digital printer and supplies companies.

"Andrew has played an integral role in growing Roland's product management team, and we look to him to bring this strategic vision and proven leadership to his new position overseeing both the product management and marketing teams," said Rick Scrimger, vice president and general manager for Roland DGA. "In addition to Andrew, I also have the pleasure of announcing the promotion of Hiroshi Ono and Steven Tu and the additions of Dave Hawkes, Eric Zimmerman, Brian Brooks and Patti Juric. Together these recent promotions and new appointments further position Roland for future growth and continued success."

Hiroshi Ono, Group Product Manager, UV, 3D and Engraving Products

Hiroshi Ono has been promoted to group product manager for specialised products where he will assist with driving Roland's vertical market solutions, including packaging, engraving, dental and product personalisation. Having joined Roland in July 2003, Ono most recently served as a senior product manager with an emphasis on RIP software and UV printers. Ono previously held several product management positions for some of the world's leading technology companies.

David Hawkes, Group Product Manager, Sign and Textile Printing

David Hawkes has joined Roland as the group product manager for sign and textile printing. In his new role, he is responsible for inkjet printers, cutters, supplies and accessories, as well as the Roland DGA online store. He brings more than 20 years of international product management experience in the inkjet printing industry to his new role, with the last six years spent working in New Zealand.

Steven Tu, Colour Workflow Specialist

Steven Tu has been appointed colour workflow specialist for UV and metallic ink printers. In this role, he is responsible for the development of workflows to process complex files that take of advantage of Roland's special technologies in metallic and UV printing. Tu previously served as a profile specialist, in addition to supporting the company's digital printing, with more than 14 years of experience, including the last eight with Roland.

Eric Zimmerman, Product Manager, Colour Products

Eric Zimmerman has joined Roland as product manager for colour products, including Roland's line of inkjet printers and printer/cutters. With more than 15 years of industry experience, his background in the sign market makes him an excellent addition to the product team. Prior to joining Roland, Zimmerman worked with United Franchise Group, helping customers establish their own SIGNARAMA franchises. He also owned and successfully operated his own sign business, SSB Sign Design, for eight years.

Brian Brooks, Product Manager, 3D Milling & Scanning

Brian Brooks recently joined Roland as the product manager for 3D milling and scanning products, and is responsible for the company's DWX dental mills, LPX 3D scanners, MDX benchtop mills, and JWX jewelry milling machine.  A true 3D enthusiast, Brooks previously worked for Purple Platypus, a Roland 3D authorised reseller, where he was a sales and technical support specialist for Roland milling devices, as well as additive rapid prototyping technology.

Patti Juric, Copywriter/PR Supervisor

Patti Juric has joined Roland as copywriter/PR supervisor. In her new role, she oversees the company's copywriting and public relations functions, including social media, Web content development, e-newsletters and email blasts. Having worked in marketing communications for 14 years, she brings a wealth of consumer and high-tech business-to-business experience to Roland's creative team. Prior to joining Roland, Juric worked for HID Global, where she was responsible for the company's copywriting and global media relations efforts.

ILFORD Imaging Switzerland GmbH is pleased to announce the growth of its international management team with the addition of graphics industry veteran Paul Willems as chief executive officer (CEO) and director of global sales.

Willems brings his abundant experience and knowledge of the graphic arts industry to his new role with ILFORD. Prior to joining the company, Willems held the position of CEO at GMGcolor, and he is a former McKinsey & Company consultant. He has also spent several years in diverse executive positions with graphic arts and digital printing industries companies.

“Paul strengthens the management team at ILFORD and focuses the company on growth. Since our acquisition of ILFORD we have aggressively sought to expand the company footprint in its core business markets, while also uncovering new growth opportunities,” said Clifford Herbertson, Partner, Paradigm Global Partners LLP. “With this new aggressive business development strategy in mind, we expect Paul to deliver an immediate impact to our business, and also be a key player in further developing the company for the long term.”

Herbertson, in his capacity as a partner of Paradigm Global Partners LLP, which recently acquired ILFORD Imaging Switzerland GmbH, had previously served as the manufacturer’s acting global sales leader before Willem’s addition to the management team.

Recent expansions to the ILFORD distribution network in key markets around the globe have positioned the company to actively pursue new markets and expand market share in key regions. With the addition of Willems, ILFORD can continue to explore new avenues for international growth utilising his fluency in English, French and German.

“ILFORD has long been known for its dedication to high quality products, and its portfolio remains very strong. I see very interesting developments on the horizon and I'm proud to join the excellent team already in place.” said Willems. “My special thanks to Clifford Herbertson, whose unfailing commitment to the ILFORD global sales initiatives will certainly allow me to hit the ground running.”

Lars Sommerhäuser having served as CEO since 2010 will become chief operating officer (COO) and will be responsible for operations, technology & development, human resources, purchasing and information technology. Sommerhäuser will also lead the company’s strategic business development.