Business - Appointments

American Reprographics Company, the USA's leading provider of reprographics services and technology, today announced that Senior Vice President of National Operations, Dilantha "Dilo" Wijesuriya, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Wijesuriya previously ran the regional operations and led the Company's international business development efforts. He will continue to report to K. "Suri" Suriyakumar, Chairman, President and CEO.

"Dilo's leadership style generates both trust and accountability in the people who work for him. These qualities are critical to our success as we emerge from the recent downturn in our end markets," said K. "Suri" Suriyakumar, Chairman, President and CEO of American Reprographics Company. "His drive for operational excellence inside the company is unparalleled, and his unique and intimate understanding of ARC will continue to add valuable strategic perspective to our future development."

Mr. Wijesuriya will continue to oversee the operations of the company, relying on the support of newly appointed business unit executives announced on ARC's recent fourth quarter and year-end earnings call. He will take on a larger role in the strategic development of ARC, especially with regard to developing international operations, and continue to spearhead the Company's brand and operational consolidation.

"Our response to the economic downturn has created opportunities we have never had before at ARC," said Mr. Wijesuriya. "I'm eager to address our market under a unified brand and operational structure, refine our new business units, and help our team discover the company's new potential as the economy recovers."

Mr. Wijesuriya, 49, began his career with ARC as a manager at the company's Ford Graphics division in San Francisco in 1991. He subsequently became president of the division in 2001, and became an ARC regional operations head in 2004. In August 2008, Mr. Wijesuriya was named Senior Vice President - National Operations and an executive officer of ARC. Prior to his employment with American Reprographics Company, Mr. Wijesuriya was a divisional manager with Aitken-Spence from 1981-1990, a multi-national conglomerate headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The BPIF is delighted to announce that it has appointed Yolanda Noble to its board of directors, with Yolanda attaining the unique position of becoming the BPIF's first female non-executive board member.

Yolanda is currently Executive Vice President with Innovative Output Solutions (IOS), one of the world's largest colour digital bureaus, which focuses on delivering market leading communication solutions for its wide customer base. IOS is now the largest direct communications manufacturer within its sector in the UK, with over 1,300 employees and an annual turnover in excess of £130m. IOS provides a wide range of services from a number of sites throughout the country.

Commenting on the appointment of Yolanda to the board of directors, BPIF Chief Executive Michael Johnson said, "Our fiercest critics and consumers alike often describe our industry as male, pale and stale. The BPIF is determined to change that perception and the arrival of Yolanda and later my successor Kathy Woodward will bring a new future orientated dynamic to the BPIF board."

Following a period of study for an HND in Print Management at the London College of Printing, Yolanda commenced her career in the industry at SR Communications, before joining Mastermail as Sales Director.

In 1989 Yolanda started her first business, City Financial Mailings (CFM). CFM were sold to the Techmail Group in 1999 and rebranded under the Orchestra name. Yolanda subsequently resigned from the business, establishing Corporate Mailing Matters (CMM).

In 2004 Orchestra Group offered the original CFM group of businesses for sale to CMM. This transaction was completed and the businesses merged, with Yolanda, the original founder, as CEO.

In April 2007, CMM merged with Direct Solutions International with Yolanda holding the role of CEO of dsicmm Ltd, the UK's largest independently owned direct communications organisation.

In 2008 Yolanda won a Printing World Excellence Award, where the judges described her career in print as a clear entrepreneurial story. They described her as an 'inclusive boss who shows an entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to manage business effectively'.

In August 2010 dsicmm further merged with DST Output UK, with Yolanda becoming Executive Vice-President of newly formed IOS.

Commenting on her appointment Yolanda Noble said: "I'm absolutely delighted and honored to have been asked to join the BPIF board as its first female member. I am passionate and committed to the print industry and the future of print and I'm very much looking forward to bringing my 30 years of business experience to the board and I am sure that I can make a difference."

 

After a 31 year association with the company, Brian Forsdike retires as President of Screen Europe and Chairman of Dainippon Screen UK on March 31st this year.

Brian’s successor is Kees Mulder, a Dutch National who was formally Vice President & Director Corporate Business Development with Eastman Kodak in Europe. Kees will join Screen Europe on February 1st before taking over as Managing Director and President of Screen European Operations on April 1st.

Brian Forsdike joined Screen UK as a salesman in 1976 and has seen the company’s technology evolve from cameras to scanner, page makeup systems, imagesetters, platesetters, through to print on demand today. “It has been a great privilege to have worked with Screen during a time of great change: bringing new technologies into new markets and expanding our presence across Europe, Middle East and Africa,” says Brian. “It is a pleasure to hand over to Kees who has a deep understanding of technology and a strong background of running successful businesses. He brings passion and energy to Screen at a time when the company is facing its latest transition into a leading print-on-demand technology specialist.”

Kees Mulder has extensive worldwide experience within the graphics industry and strong reputation for growing software and hardware companies and brands. He joins Screen Europe from Eastman Kodak where he has held several high profile positions. Prior to joining Kodak, Kees has fulfilled senior international roles in a range of hardware and software businesses. “Screen Europe and its innovative imaging and print on demand technology have an excellent reputation and I join at an exciting and challenging time when the company is actively investing in expanding its global presence.” says Kees.  “Screen leads the world in CTP and has developed an excellent range of quality market leading digital inkjet printers. We are entering a new era and I will be heading a team focused on aggressively growing the Screen brand and market share across EMEA, not only in the graphics market but also into new market sectors of industrial printing.”

Mr Fujisawa, President, Media and Precision Technology Company, Dainippon Screen, says: “Brian Forsdike has been an inspirational leader of our European operations for many years. His vision and skill have been very important in growing the company, forging strategic partnerships in Europe and introducing digital print technologies. We are delighted now to welcome Kees Mulder to lead Screen Europe. We are sure that with his considerable expertise and creative drive, we are well positioned to continue to grow our business throughout EMEA.”

(Above photo is of Kees Mulder)

Mutoh America Inc. has promoted Mike Springan as its newest Product Manager and Technical Trainer. Springan's background in product and technical training at Mutoh makes him a perfect fit for his new position.

Working under the guidance of General Manager Brian Phipps and Product Team Manager Ikuya Atsuchi, he will be responsible for the growth and product knowledge of the Kona Cutter Plotter line. Springan will also maintain his role as technical trainer.

Prior to his new position, Springan was the Mutoh technical trainer for five years. In his career, he has created and conducted service trainings on proper ValueJet maintenance, usage, troubleshooting and repair. Springan has also created how-to videos and has completely restructured the service training program. Throughout his Mutoh career, Springan has gained a great amount of technical product knowledge, and is ready to use this knowledge to grow the product team.

"I am looking forwarded to working with the product team and focusing on one area of our product line, the Kona Cutters," said Springan. "During my Mutoh career, I have developed the training program and created a vast amount of user videos and processes. I'm ready to take training to the next level, while growing with the product team."

Preceding his work with Mutoh, Springan graduated from the ITT Technical Institute with a degree in Computer Electronics Engineering Technology. Springan also served in the US Navy for six years as an Electronic Warfare Technician.

 

Intec Printing Solutions in Poole, Dorset has appointed Jana Langdown as Sales Administrator.
She has many years of customer service experience having previously worked at Sigma-Aldrich, the life science company in Dorset. Prior to that she worked at Barclays Investment Bank in Poole and LV, the friendly society, also in Poole. Before this Jana was a Press Officer in Brazil for five years.

Robert Horne is delighted to announce that Terry Prichard has joined the Sign and Display - Plastics for Industry Team. Terry will be covering the burgeoning London and South East area of England, which is certain to keep him busy.

Terry boasts a wealth of experience in the field as he has enjoyed working in the plastics industry for 28 years. He joins Robert Horne from Quinn where he worked largely in manufacturing processes, having previously spent 25 years in sales and distribution.

Adrian Dennis, Divisional Director, Sign and Display comments: “We are very pleased to welcome Terry onto the team. Sign and Display is a huge growth area for Robert Horne and we like to offer expert advice and insight to our clients and Terry’s knowledge is certainly a real asset.”

Robert Horne Group is the UK’s leading supplier of a vast array of materials, from paper and board to plastics. A unique combination of high quality, cost effective products is supported by added value services and in-depth industry knowledge.