Business - Appointments

Soyang Europe has announced two key appointments.  The company's sales manager, Andrew Simmons is promoted to sales director to lead an expanded sales team boosted by the appointment of David Hunter, who will be responsible for the Midlands and South region. Hunter joins textile specialist, Tim Egerton, who is responsible for the company's activities in the North.

Simmons' promotion is projected to enable Soyang Europe's managing director, Mark Mashiter, to better oversee operations as the company plots its move to expansive new premises - almost tripling the size of its headquarters - improving its already substantial stockholding and logistics with a planned 70,000sq ft investment in new property.

Hunter returns to Soyang Europe after a three year hiatus, having maintained a strong presence in the wide format materials sector in the interim. Already finding his prior experience as a printer a significant advantage, he says, "My understanding of customers' needs stems from time on the other side of the fence. Knowing the demands that they face on a daily basis allows us to work harder to deliver new, creative and profitable product lines, as well as ensure our core products are easily accessible."

This last factor is one that Simmons cites as a prime reason for the company's investment in both people and property. "This is a very exciting time for Soyang and my new position gives me the opportunity to greatly influence the continued growth of the company. We're instigating an extensive development of our range with a number of new and creative European and American manufactured materials being launched over the next few months," he says. "The expansion of our facility is important because it enables us to ensure the best stockholding of products with next day availability throughout the UK - which is what our customers need to be able to respond to their clients' demands."

Having spent the last two and half years with Soyang Europe, Simmons has a long history in the materials and textile sector - starting out in the footwear industry some twenty five years ago and spending the eight years prior to his move to Soyang supplying the exhibition sector. Hunter shares a similarly strong background in the materials industry and combined with Egerton's strong reputation forms a key part of Mashiter's plans. "The team we're building at Soyang Europe is based on expertise, client understanding and a drive to offer something new and different," he states. "Our customers can benefit from the wealth of knowledge we have; not just from the sales managers and directors, but right through the team in the office and warehouse."

Soyang Europe will have a substantial presence at Sign & Digital UK as well as FESPA in Munich later in the spring. "We're looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers to both the shows where we'll have some exciting new products to discuss," confirms Mashiter.

For more information on Soyang Europe, please visit www.soyang.co.uk

[Photo shows David Hunter (L) and Andrew Simmons (R)]

Stanford Marsh Group has appointed three new staff to bolster its Scottish sales operations. David Murchie has been appointed in an internal account manager capacity, whilst Yvonne Reilly and Mark Timoney have joined the company's field sales team. All three started with Stanford Marsh on 16th December 2013 and are based at Stanford Marsh's Motherwell Office.

David Murchie worked at HP for a number of years in corporate and public sector imaging and printing account manager roles. He has a well-rounded background in imaging devices and has the knowledge to support Stanford Marsh's customers in Scotland.

Yvonne Reilly also joins Stanford Marsh from HP. An experienced IT sales professional, Yvonne has a proven track record when it comes to her professional and entrepreneurial approach to selling. Her experience at HP will stand Yvonne in good stead to build on existing and develop new relationships.

Mark Timoney joins from Equinet where he had much success selling IT services and solutions. With a solid background in B2B sales and knowledge of the graphics arena, Mark will be charged with ramping up in sales of wide format hardware.

Adrian Painter, Director at Stanford Marsh, comments, "Stanford Marsh Group's business operations have been growing apace of late and these three appointments have been made in order to meet the increased demand for Stanford Marsh solutions within all sectors, including the company's traditional CAD/technical and wide format print solutions, large format graphic devices, BIM solutions within the CAD market and 3D printing devices.

"We acquired Service Point's service division in 2011 and since that time have had a dedicated sales and servicing base in Scotland. Now is the time to expand that team and invest in further personnel."

The company's graphics division Stanford Marsh Group Graphics (www.smgg.co.uk) has recently been appointed to Mimaki's official reseller network, whilst its 3D print business (www.smg3d.co.uk) now features an exciting new product line-up from Stratasys.

"The newly appointed team members have industry background akin to our own business and a wealth of experience," continues Painter, "but will also get the necessary training and support to enable them to offer impartial and informed advice to our existing and prospective clients across all our sectors.

"We have a proven track record of doing this for almost 50 years and trust the new team will help to make Stanford Marsh as renowned in Scotland as we are throughout the remainder of the UK. Look out for events and activities in Scotland throughout 2014."

For more information on Stanford Marsh Group, please visit www.stanfordmarsh.co.uk

[photo shows, from L to R, David Murchie, Yvonne Reilly and Mark Timoney]

Hampshire, UK-based wide format print company PFS Design & Packaging has appointed Andrew Rogers to the role of eCommerce & Online Marketing Manager.

Andrew has over 5 years experience in this field, and also has a BSc in Online Media as well as a MSc in Software Enterprise from the University of Sunderland. He will be responsible for bringing PFS Design & Packaging into the modern era and 'letting everyone know about the best kept secret in printing and stationary manufacturing'.

On his appointment, Andrew says, "It is a great challenge for me to come from a clothing background into the printing and manufacturing. However as a blank canvas, PFS is a great opportunity to get things right first time."

Duncan Johnson, MD at PFS Design & Packaging, adds, "We are looking forward to get things going with our marketing - we have have not been keeping up with the world and know that bringing Andrew's skills on board is the right choice for the company."

For more infomation on PFS Design & Packaging, please visit www.pfs-design.co.uk

Mike Boyte has been appointed Manufacturing Manager at MultiCam, Inc.  He has over 20 years of manufacturing and quality control experience in industries related to factory automation.

In 2008, Mike received his MBA from Texas A & M University. In addition, he is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and will continue to lead MultiCam’s efforts in lean manufacturing which were implemented in 2012.  In his new position, Mike will report to Tony McGrew, Director of Operations.

EFI has announced two executive appointments to 'deepen its management team and position the Company for further global growth'.   David Reeder has been appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer, following his recent experience as the head of finance for Cisco's Enterprise Networking Group. In addition, Marc Olin, currently Senior Vice-President and General Manager of the Productivity Software Group, has been named to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer.

"Following a comprehensive search, I am very pleased to welcome David Reeder to EFI's executive team," said Guy Gecht, EFI's Chief Executive Officer. "David was our clear first choice with his extensive background in both finance and operations at Cisco, Broadcom, and Texas Instruments which make him a tremendous asset to EFI's diverse business. In addition, David's significant global experience is a terrific fit as EFI further expands our geographic footprint, a key element of our growth strategy."

David Reeder most recently held the position of VP, Finance of Cisco's System's $16 Billion Enterprise Networking Division, where he was responsible for all financial aspects of Cisco's largest business group. Prior to that role, Reeder served at Broadcom Corporation as Vice President & Managing Director, Asian Operations, after serving as Controller for Broadcom's U.S. Manufacturing and Operations. Before joining Broadcom Reeder held various financial and operational positions with Texas Instruments. David Reeder holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas.

"EFI has done a terrific job developing a unique portfolio of innovative products and executing on its global growth strategy," said Reeder. "I believe the Company has just begun to realize its opportunity. I am very excited to join this talented team and committed to executing on the opportunity as we grow EFI to its $1 Billion revenue target - and beyond."

Marc Olin, who has served as the Company's Interim Chief Financial Officer since September, 2013, has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer. A search is underway to fill Marc Olin's previous position as General Manager, Productivity Software Business.

"Marc's robust performance as an Interim CFO for the past several months and his outstanding leadership in the accelerated growth of our Productivity Software have convinced us that EFI will benefit from expanding Marc's role," said Gecht. "We are looking forward to having Marc take on additional responsibilities, including helping to expand our inkjet business both organically and through strategic acquisitions."

Marc Olin joined EFI in 2003 when the Company acquired PrintCafe, where he was CEO and Co-Founder. The acquisition launched EFI's entry into the commercial print software market, with Olin helping to grow the business from annual revenues of $35 Million to over $110 Million. Marc Olin holds a BS in Graphic Communications Management and Applied Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University.

[Image shows David Reeder (L) and Marc Olin (R)]

PaperlinX has named Andy Vels Jensen as its interim Managing Director for the UK and Ireland.

Vels Jensen brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held a number of senior positions in his career, most recently as Managing Director for Heidelberg in Australia and New Zealand.  He has been working as a consultant to the merchant group since September 2013 and officially started his new role on Monday 6th January, reporting directly to PaperlinX Chief Executive Andrew Price.