Mark Staplehurst has joined Ulma as business development manager for thermoforming and tray lid sealing. He will spearhead a UK-wide campaign aimed at persuading fish companies that Ulma equipment offers a complete solution in any format.
"Ulma has an ideal range of machines for the fish packaging market – offering both thermoform and tray lid sealing solutions," says Staplehurst. "We will be seeking out companies wishing to move into this type of packaging for the first time and offering them our equipment and expertise to help make the changeover as easy as possible. We are well known for working closely with customers, to ensure they get the machine that suits them."
Lockley crowned sales director
Crown Bevcan Europe & Middle East has appointed Peter Lockley sales director for its European beverage can business. Lockley, 38, formerly sales and marketing director for the company's UK & Ireland Bevcan business, will take up the position this month and will be based at the company's European headquarters in Paris. He will report directly to senior vice-president John Clinton.
A former graduate trainee at CarnaudMetalBox, Peter has 15 years of experience with the packaging giant, starting his career in its food division, followed by several years within Speciality Packaging before moving to Bevcan in the UK.
Crown has also appointed Vince Major sales and marketing director for the UK & Ireland. Vince, formerly senior key account manager for Crown Bevcan UK, has been with the company for 25 years and will be based at the company's Botcherby plant in the UK.
Pira International
Pira has expanded its consultancy team with the appointment of Gary Parker as head of its environment and waste group and Simon Marsden as principal consultant.
Parker has extensive experience of environmental issues with previous roles as chairman of INCPEN, head of environmental affairs at SmithKline Beecham and director of the Packaging Standards Council.
Simon Marsden's particular area of expertise is RFID. He ran his own consultancy prior to joining Pira providing technical and business consultancy in this area. Previously, as business development manager with Omron Electronics, he gained much experience of working with machinery manufacturers and packer/fillers.
Visclose Closures
The Crawley-based manufacturer of shrink sleeves, capsules and tamper-evident closures has appointed Ben Colman to the newly-created role of sales and marketing director. He joins from Alcoa CSI Europe where he was responsible for product development and new markets for closures.
Also joining as operations manager, shrink sleeves, is Mike Sugrue who has 15 years experience in this area, most recently with Fuji Europe.
Imaje UK
Steve Ellison, former thermal products manager at coding and marking specialist Imaje, has been promoted to national sales manager. The company says the promotion reflects his success in integrating the former Markpoint industrial thermal printer range into Imaje's main business.
UK managing director Mike Hughes has also been given additional responsibility for Ireland, Belgium and Netherlands. "Maintaining the growth momentum is the key aim", said Hughes. "With a strong product offering in every sector, allied to total lifetime commitment to our customers, I am confident we can win new users and grow market share further."
M-real Cartons
Hannu Kottonen has been appointed senior vice-president and general manager of the M-real Cartons business and joins M-real's marketing and sales management board. He joins from the Huhtamaki Group where he was chief finance officer.
European Metallizers Association
Managing director of Cham Paper Group UK Mark Gooseman, has been elected president of the European Metallizers Association following a two year stint as president of its PR committee.
The Wastelink Group
The new chief executive of The Wastelink Group is Brian Miller. He was previously managing director of the waste control division of RMC (UK) prior to its sale to Severn Trent in 2003.
