New faces and people movements in the industry

Well-known industry identity Ron Patterson (pictured below) has been appointed the new general manager for Printing Industries in Victoria and Tasmania, and national sales manager for the organisation across the country.

Philip Andersen, CEO of Printing Industries, claims Patterson's extensive sales background, industry knowledge and experience would be beneficial to the association at both local Victorian and national levels.

“Ron has spent his working life in the printing industry and has a unique understanding of the traditional print trade, technology and the supply perspective,” says Anderson.

“His involvement with industry activities is outstanding and we look forward to his new role continuing to benefit the industry.”

Patterson was a member on the board of the last three PacPrint exhibitions and was chairman of PacPrint 2005 and foundation chairman of the first Print Ex exhibition in 1999. He served as Victorian regional councillor for Printing Industries from 2001 to 2006 and as a national councillor between 2002 and 2003.

Patterson has also been extensively involved with the National Print Awards and been played an integral role in GAMAA since 1990 in various positions including vice president and president.

Patterson's working career is tied to the printing industry. He began his career as a letterpress/litho apprentice, moved into technical roles during the 1970's before shifting into sales, initially with Collie & Co and later FT Wimble & Co.

After spending 11 years with Agfa-Gavaert as national sales manager and general manager, Patterson joined the CPI Group as national sales manager and then state manager in Victoria and Tasmania. In 2002 he joined Anitech as State Manager. He will join Printing Industries in July after he completes his existing work commitments with AE Hudson.

GAMAA announces new executive director

Karen Goldsmith, manager of GAMAA (pictured right), was promoted to the position of executive director at the association's quarterly meeting in Sydney.


In making the announcement Alastair Hadley, president of GAMAA, said the appointment was in recognition of the invaluable contribution Goldsmith had made to the development and progress of the association's aims and objectives since her appointment to the role of manager in 2004.


“In the role of manager, Ms Goldsmith has increasingly assumed much of the responsibility undertaken by an executive director enabling GAMAA to continue to move forward and meet its objectives,” said Hadley.

“I am pleased on behalf of the membership to announce her official appointment to the role of Executive Director effective immediately.”

Goldsmith says she was delighted to be appointed to the new position.

“In the past two years I have gained considerable knowledge of the industry in which we work and of the unique processes that enable the members of GAMAA to work as a cohesive team despite the fact that many who sit at the table are competitors,” says Goldsmith.

“I look forward to continuing to work with GAMAA members, liaising with other associations and the industry to meet the challenges of the future.”

GSA appoints new WA manager

Perry Tweed (pictured right) brings his extensive experience in the prepress sector to his new role as state manager for Western Australia, having worked with a number of leading print companies in Australia over the past 18 years.

Tweed was previously prepress manager with National Capital Printing in Canberra and Lamb Print in Perth, and prior to joining GSA was operations manager at Zipform, a Perth-based commercial print and mail house.

“I've always been involved with Fujifilm products, both analogue and digital,” says Perry. “NCP and Lamb Print both used Fujifilm products so I've kept up-to-speed on current product developments.”

GSA claims Tweed's hands-on experience will be invaluable in providing technical knowledge and real-life expertise to prepress operators. His immediate goal will be to expand the current client base and offer a high level of service to existing customers, keeping them up-to-date with product releases.

“While there have been a number of successful installations in WA, there is certainly potential for more growth with Fujifilm. I think the time is right as well, particularly with new product releases such as the latest upgrades to the Celebrant workflow system and new CTP plate technology,” says Tweed.

Perry will commence his new role at the beginning of July and can then be contacted via the GSA office in Perth.

Brett Burns joins Starleaton

Burns (pictured right) has joined Starleaton Digital Solution's Sydney operation as sales and support executive, focusing on large format printers and laminating. He brings considerable experience following seven years with another large-format provider and years working in engineering and sales before that.

Gary Smith, director of Starleaton, says he is thrilled over the large-format knowledge and experience Burns will bring to the company.

“Brett is very experienced in the way large format printers - especially solvent models - and laminators behave, there is no substitute for long-term hands-on knowledge when offering customers the best support,” says Smith.

Burns says he is confident he is joining a company that is one of the premier suppliers of large-format machines to the Australian industry.

“I spoke to a number of people in the industry and Starleaton's reputation is second-to-none. It's great to be working for a larger company with national coverage and leading brands such as Kodak, HP, Epson, Seal, ColorGate and Neschen,” says Burns.

Starleaton Digital Solutions offers products, support and knowledge to the large-format printing community in Australia, covering both aqueous and solvent sectors with machine widths from 435mm (17”), through all intermediary sizes up to 5.2 metres.