Xaar has appointed Edmund Creutzmann as Chief Technical Officer, effective on 1st April.
Edmund has over 30 years’ digital printing R&D experience spanning LED, electrophotographic and inkjet imaging technologies and, most recently, was Vice President, Printer Technology at Océ Printing System GmbH. As Chief Technical Officer, Edmund has overall responsibility for Xaar R&D and reports directly to Xaar CEO Ian Dinwoodie.
Edmund’s appointment, which followed a complex international search, is part of Xaar’s major investment in R&D and manufacturing. The company has invested over £40m in R&D alone over the last five years; in 2013 Xaar grew its R&D headcount by 64% to 133 employees and expanded its facility on the Cambridge Science Park by 50% to 4,459 square metres. In addition, Xaar continues to expand and streamline manufacturing and, by the end of this year, will have invested over £60m in its factory in Huntingdon UK, since it opened in 2006.
“Xaar’s innovative inkjet technologies are transforming digital printing and manufacturing processes on a global scale and we are evolving these technologies to deliver powerful new levels of flexibility and performance,” says Ian Dinwoodie. “Our R&D investment and effectiveness is fundamental to our future success and Edmund's appointment is a key enhancement of our leadership team. He has exactly the right depth and breadth of experience across multiple digital technologies that we need to direct our significantly enlarged R&D operation.”
“I am delighted to be joining Xaar and becoming part of its successful leadership team,” says Edmund Creutzmann. “Xaar is well on its way to a very successful future within the digital arena. I am proud to be bringing my digital experience to the company and look forward to making my contribution to Xaar’s future successes.”
The investment in R&D comes on the back of record 2013 revenues of £134m, 55% higher than in 2012, enabling Xaar to accelerate investment in new technology and new products. This growth has been recognised with several industry awards, including the UK Tech Awards 2103 ‘Technology Growth Business of the Year’ and, this year, the PLC ‘Company of the Year’ Award’ and Business Weekly ‘Company of the Year’ Award.
