Business - Appointments

 

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.

GMG has announced the appointment of Ian Scott as Managing Director, GMG Worldwide. His appointment follows the departure of CEO Paul Willems who has decided to dedicate himself to new professional challenges.

Ian will be working closely together with GMG’s owners & Managing Directors, Joerg and Robert Weihing, in continuing the company’s on-going growth plan and product development strategy, building on GMG’s reputation of innovation and quality. Having spent more than 20 years working in the graphic arts industry, Ian is thoroughly familiar with every aspect of the industry.

Ian has worked with GMG for eight years, the last two as Managing Director of GMG UK. He sees his new appointment as a great opportunity. “Working closely with Robert and Joerg Weihing will be terrific— we all bring different skill-sets to the table and have a lot of respect for each other. Paul Willems has left GMG in a fantastic position. He did a great job and has left us a strong and dynamic company. I am very excited to join the management team and help shape the GMG’s future.”

Robert Weihing says of Ian Scott’s appointment: “Few people know our product portfolio as well as Ian. He’s totally aware of our customers needs, and he has a talent for spotting future trends in the printing industry. He will bring a lot of energy, experience and ideas to the table. I couldn’t think of a better person to build on the success of recent years.”

“We will pursue our growth strategy with great determination to ensure we realise the enormous potential that GMG has”, adds Robert Weihing. “Our recent acquisition of Aurelon is an important strategic move to achieve our ambitious growth targets in the large format print production market. In addition, beyond the existing product development plans, we see enormous potential for new, innovative, ideas and we are excited about Fespa and drupa 2012 where we will have a strong presence.”

Peter Morris, CEO of Friedheim UK, has been appointed Chairman of Picon, the UK association of print industry manufacturers and suppliers. Peter was voted in to the two-year post at the Picon AGM on Friday July 1st.

Taking over the Chairmanship from Brian Filler, MD of Screen UK, Peter emphasised the need for manufacturers and suppliers to continue the fight to lobby banks and government to support the UK print industry, and to improve skills within it. “Picon’s members span the full spectrum of industry supplier from large household names to many small to medium specialists. Not only does this give Picon a persuasive collective voice and influence, but it also enables us to take strong and positive practical action to support and develop the industry. It’s important for everyone involved in print to keep up the pressure to improve investment, training, and above all, confidence,” he said. “I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and introducing several Picon initiatives which will benefit both manufacturers and printers.”

“Peter’s tremendous experience, passion and energy for the industry will make him a very effective Chairman of Picon over the next two years,” says Brian Filler. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure with my personal highlights being the formation of the active Picon Digital Focus Group, reflecting the industry’s accelerating transition to digital, and a rejuvenated Ipex last year which brought a level of renewed confidence.”

Peter has been part of the print industry since 1962 when he was an apprentice in the mechanical bindery of a Birmingham printer. Following a period as a paper salesman he joined Oscar Friedheim as an area salesman in 1971. Apart from a two-year break in the mid-seventies setting up two separate trade finishing companies, Peter has worked at Friedheim, progressing through the company to become MD of Friedheim International in 1999. Following a management buyout by Peter and Mark Bristow in 2005, Peter became CEO of the company.

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; Brian Filler, Screen UK; Gerry Mulvaney, The Danwood Group.

Blink Giant Media Ltd announces the appointment of Adriane Bof as its new quality assurance & project development manager. Bof will work closely with the directors to develop and deliver Blink’s simple but innovative media solutions and its super wide format graphics, as well as maintaining the company’s high quality customer service through promotion of a quality assurance culture within the company.

Bof has spent the last ten years working at the Ministry of Justice developing educational and cultural partnership projects, and she received a Butler Trust award in 2010 for her work at HMP Bristol, promoting positive relationships between offenders and their families, which involved government, voluntary sector and private enterprise. In 2009 she received an award for an Outstanding Contribution to Reducing Re-offending from the Avon & Somerset Local Criminal Justice Board.

Blink director Steve Wilkinson commented: “Adriane’s experience in the public sector and in developing partnerships, and her extensive skills in project management, fit perfectly within Blink's flexible approach to creative projects. She will be looking into the potential of creative and commercial projects that can be developed in partnership with the private and public sector, and will help us take Blink to a whole new level.”

Chris Heric has joined the international Enfocus team as Automation Solutions Architect. Heric will report to Elli Cloots, Enfocus Product Management Director.
 
Heric, an industry veteran and digital pioneer, will concentrate on further developing Enfocus core technologies - particularly Switch - for use in newly identified high-growth segments, including graphic arts.
 
Heric has consulted to Enfocus engineering in the past, and has long been an outspoken proponent of the Enfocus PitStop and Switch product families.
 
"Chris Heric is a dynamic, quick-thinking professional with an intuitive gift for development across numerous market segments," says Prudhomme. "Given his 22 years of print production experience and expertise, combined with deep technical knowledge of Enfocus products, IT systems, and imaging and prepress; we are fortunate to have him help us find, and develop, applications that can be better served with Enfocus technology."
 
Prudhomme says that company research is uncovering a surprising absence of affordable, quick-ROI automation solutions in numerous vertical segments. "Even industries with some history and experience in automation are lacking options," Prudhomme says. "Enfocus' fast, easy approach runs counter to the quarter-million dollar, eight-month plus implementation solutions that are more commonly utilised in other markets, but doesn't compromise functionality at its lower price point."
 
Prior to joining the Enfocus team, Heric was an independent consultant for 18 years. His clients ranged from magazines and periodicals to software developers, and prepress and print facilities worldwide.
 
Currently the Chairman of the CIP4/JDF Content Creation sub-working group, and an active member of the CIP4 Technical Steering Committee, Heric is also a frequent speaker, author and inventor. Other key accolades include his tenure as a key speaker and architect of the Seybold PDF Conference and involvement as an early member of the SWOP review committee.

Enfocus' increasingly popular Switch automation platform continues to evolve. The newest Switch 10 version, which recently became available, offers printers and publishers more robust automation, greater depths of data security, and the ability to extract more value from existing information sources and third-party tools.