The winds of change: 26 January 2011
Plenty of movement at Canon going on this week as Paul Thompson leaves Currie Group to for a production role and Matthew Winlaw steps up as general manager of small and medium business (SMB). Meanwhile, Sappi Trading Australia appoints John Walker as its new managing director to replace the retiring Tim Schafer.
Paul Thompson goes into the frontline at Canon
The former Currie Group NSW manager replaces Mark Harvey as Canon prepares to intensify its focus on production printing. The move is another stage in Thompsons digital trajectory that began with a stint at Xerox before moving to Océ and then on to Currie Group. At Canon he is responsible for sharpening the company's focus on the digital production space with the new imagePRESS C7010VP.
Winlaw leads Canon’s new SMB sales force
Appointment of Matthew Winlaw (pictured) as general manager of small and medium business signals Canon’s push into the SMB market.
According to Innes Thomson, senior general manager, direct sales, some analyst estimate that up to 50 per cent of printing is undertaken in the SMB market. “It is important that we have a strong presence in this space,” he explained.
“Canon is going through a period of transformation and the exciting appointment of Matthew and the creation of the SMB sales force will help us achieve market leadership. The real opportunity for the SMB sector is to deploy a simplified and hassle free approach to imaging and printing in their day to day lives thus driving inefficiency and cost out of their businesses.”
The team will be headed by Winlaw, who has been been involved in the print, document solutions, and managed print services (MPS) markets in Australia. Prior to joining Canon, he held various sales, management, and strategy roles across Toshiba, HP, and Commander.
John Walker steps into Tim Schafer's shoes at Sappi Trading Australia.
Formerly of Paper Agencies, the industry veteran is well qualified to lead the mill's local office. With the acquisition of the M-real Publication and Coated Papers range and the establishment of its own onshore web paper warehouse, he has plenty on his plate. And then there are the changes in the local paper merchanting world. But John says he is looking forward to the challenges. "It's a great opportunity and I'm very pleased to be here," he said.
Tim Schafer, managing director of the local Sappi Trading business will retire in February. "John has 21 years' of experience within the Australian paper industry, during which time he has developed an excellent reputation for his professionalism and expertise," Schafer said.
"I have no doubt that the Sappi brand will grow from strength to strength in the Australian and New Zealand markets under John's future management."