Business - Appointments

Antalis McNaughton’s Sign & Display division has appointed Joe Kennedy as Account Manager for the North West, based at the company’s Northern Sign & Display office in Warrington.

Reporting to Ian Quinn, Regional Sales Manager, Joe brings with him a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise having worked for 10 years in the large format digital market, with the last 8 years spent at Papergraphics specialising in roll fed inkjet media and finishing materials.

On joining the team, Joe comments, “It is refreshing to join and be part of a dedicated team within a company that is focused strongly on the continual development of new products and services within this dynamic print sector.”

Lintec Graphic Films has boosted its Italian operations with the appointment of Alberto Bonfanti to the position of Sales Manager for the country. In his new role, Alberto will be tasked with strengthening the Lintec's presence and servicing and growing the company’s growing label and glazing enhancement ranges for the whole of Italy.

On Alberto's appointment, Andy Voss, managing director at Lintec Graphic Films, comments, “Alberto has a deep understanding of the label and window film industries we operate in. His knowledge of the Italian community will make him a major asset for Lintec Graphic Films and will strengthen our regional operations in this territory. We are pleased to welcome him to the team.”

Alberto adds, “It is fantastic to be part of the team and such a dynamic company. There is definite growth opportunity for Lintec Graphic Films in the Italian market, and I look forward to embracing this challenge in the months to come.

Alberto joins Lintec Graphic Films with more than 10 years’ industry experience in the label, paper and pressure sensitive film markets.

[photo shows Lintec Graphic Films' newly appointed sales manager for Italy, Alberto Bonfanti]

Guler Ates and Barton Hargreaves have been appointed as Epson Digital Print Media Tutors at The Royal Academy Schools.  In their roles, Guler and Barton will supervise all the work in the purpose-built Epson Digital Media Suite, guiding students through the possibilities of a project, instructing on related software, facilitating projects and teaching how to use the equipment

The Royal Academy Schools is the only independent three year postgraduate art school in the world and has had a long and fruitful collaborative relationship with Epson including sponsorship of digital media with the RA Schools, and for the last 12 years, the unique luxury of its own purpose-built Epson Digital Media Suite.

This Suite is equipped with Epson’s full range of Stylus Pro large format inkjet printers, Epson inks and media and is used by students to produce high-end and experimental artworks using digital technologies, often in an unexpected or alternative ways.  Students are encouraged to take responsibility for the creation of their own digital prints, banners, photos and light box imagery as well as supplying post-production film positives, which supports the other traditional printmaking mediums such as etching and screen printing.

Before becoming Epson Tutors, Guler and Barton both worked as Digital Fellows within the Academy, gaining valuable experience in advanced digital technologies and researching the potential of the Epson printers. Prior to this they both graduated from the Royal College of Art’s specialist MA Fine Art printmaking department and have since developed respected reputations as young professional artists.

They have both had important solo exhibitions: Guler has exhibited at Art First Gallery, London, Marian Cramer Projects in Amsterdam, Fusion at Gallery Point-1 in Japan and in her native Istanbul. She was also artist in residence at Leighton House Museum, London in 2010. Barton has had solo shows at Playground Space, London and The Brook Gallery. He was included in the Northern Print Biennale and Originals at the Mall Gallery, and was commissioned by the Jerwood Foundation for which he produced ‘In Situ’, a massive site responsive digital print for the exterior of their London Gallery Space.

“Guler and Barton create artworks made within the Epson Suite and their shared knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for the use of digital technologies within fine art practice plays an essential role in the delivery of the school’s contemporary art programme. Since their appointments the number of students working in this area and the range of applications and experimentation has increased dramatically. This has all been made possible by the on-going support of Epson,” says Mark Hampson, Head of Material Processes, Royal Academy Schools.

“The close collaboration between the Royal Academy Schools and Epson has benefited us both on many levels,” says Nick White, Business Manager, Professional Graphics, Epson UK. “The experience of working closely with artists who continually explore new horizons using digital print technologies is valuable. They learn from us and we learn from them.”

Drytac Europe Ltd has appointed Hayden Kelley as managing director.  In this role he will responsible for developing and implementing corporate strategy in order to move Drytac Europe forward with new products and services, while continuing to uphold and promote the company’s reputation for quality and service.

On his appointment at the UK-based manufacturer of graphic finishing products and equipment, Hayden Kelley comments, "I am very excited about my new role at Drytac Europe.  This is a very busy time and there are a number of exciting opportunities ahead for us. I am looking forward to playing a significant part in the future of Drytac Europe."

Kelley’s previous roles include regional sales manager for Drytac’s Western United States territory, vice president of sales and marketing for Drytac Canada, and investment advisor for BMO Nesbitt Burns, a position for which he also received CSE, WME and LLQP designations.

For more information on Drytac Europe, please visit www.drytac.co.uk

Richard Hinckley has been appointed by Hollywood Monster as the company's new national business development manager.  Richard will be tasked with developing business across the UK in new target sectors including the construction, property and facilities industries.

Prior to joining West Midlands-based Hollywood Monster, Richard worked as the sales director of Total Access UK Ltd – the UK's leading provider of height safety support services – and has been involved with projects both in the UK and overseas.

Hollywood Monster is currently celebrating its 21st anniversary during a year that has seen the company welcome 20 new employees and invest more than £1 million in new equipment to help it develop and grow the digital print side of the business.  During 2012 the company won its largest ever contract, producing more than £1 million of banners, signs, graphics and wayfinding for retail giants Westfield at its huge shopping centre site adjacent to the Olympic park in London.

On his appointment, Richard Hinckley comments, “I am thrilled to be joining Hollywood Monster’s dynamic team. The company has had an exciting year and has an excellent reputation in the industry. I hope to add to this success in my new role as business development manager by securing new business to drive Hollywood Monster forward. I was involved with the business when it started 21 years ago and I’m over the moon to be rejoining Hollywood Monster during these exciting times.”

Tim Andrews, managing director of Hollywood Monster, adds, “We are really pleased to welcome Richard to the team and I look forward to working alongside him while developing our client list within a range of sectors.”

For more information on Hollywood Monster, please visit www.hollywoodmonster.co.uk

 

CMYUK Digital has appointed Tony Winterbottom to its EFI VUTEk team in order to meet increased demand for wide format. He moves to the Wokingham-based company from Robert Horne Group where he was instrumental in generating nationwide success for VUTEk’s UV-curable flat-bed and roll-fed platforms.

CMYUK’s pedigree with EFI VUTEk’s production solutions is unmatched in the UK, and Winterbottom’s knowledge and experience will be invaluable in providing full consultancy to customers, many of whom will follow him from his previous position. Joining the company at the end of October, he will also be responsible for Zünd’s range of precision cutting tables which are the ideal complement for users wanting to implement a full print-to-cut workflow.

Winterbottom has a long history in the sign and display industries, associated with wide-format solutions, having started his career 28 years ago with Granthams of Preston, before moving to CADlink where he was responsible for promoting SignLab sign-making and display production software. For the past eight years he has successfully built up a solid customer base for EFI VUTEk printers at Robert Horne and now plans to extend this expertise by joining CMYUK Digital.

“Tony’s appointment at CMYUK enables us to increase our focus on EFI VUTEk’s solutions into the UK market as increasing numbers of offset litho, screen-printing and display companies are moving across to digital systems,” comments Robin East of CMYUK Digital. “His attitude towards customer care plus his long-term knowledge about the industry reaped dividends at Robert Horne and he’ll be an extremely valuable member of our team.”

The move to CMYUK Digital is a significant one for Winterbottom as he believes the ethos behind investments has changed as businesses have become more focused and are relying increasingly on long-term relationships with their suppliers. “More and more companies looking to buy a good quality UV-curable platform want more than merely a sales channel these days. People need to know they’re dealing with a specialist provider that understands the market and that offers a more personal service, and the tighter economy makes service and care ever more important when it comes to purchasing decisions,” he states.

CMYUK Digital is the UK distributor for EFI VUTEk’s family of wide-format UV-curable printers, and Winterbottom will be concentrating on the increasing demand for these versatile platforms. The company is also an authorised partner for Zünd, is the country’s largest stockist of display textiles from A Berger for digital printing, and has formed an exclusive alliance with Antalis McNaughton to specialise in expert colour matching across different substrates and application types.