New MD for Manroland Sheetfed UK

Manroland Sheetfed has appointed Peter Redmond as the new managing director of its UK business.

Redmond’s appointment takes effect today (22 March).

He replaces Martin Hawley who is leaving the company to support his family during some personal issues.

Redmond has a long track record in the industry, having spent more than 35 years in a variety of sale and service roles. He began his career as an apprentice at Rockwell Graphics and has worked at major manufacturers and suppliers since, including the former web and sheetfed businesses of Manroland prior to the firm’s split, and also at Komori where he was European director of service operations.

Most recently he was zone director of UK and Ireland at Bobst’s web-fed division.

Redmond said he was delighted to return to Manroland and praised the firm’s progress under the ownership of Langley Holdings, which acquired the business just over seven years ago.

"The combination of German engineering design, technological innovation and client focus coupled with the strength and stability of a UK based international organisation had real appeal and made my decision to return to the company, after a nine year absence, quite an easy one,” he said.

“My initial focus will be to continue to build on the achievements of the former managing director, Martin Hawley.

Hawley and Redmond have just completed a handover period.

Hawley said: "It has been an honour to have worked at Manroland Sheetfed UK for the last nine years, especially since its acquisition by the Langley Holdings group. The decision to leave the company was not an easy one but it will enable me to support my family’s ongoing future commitments. 

“Manroland Sheetfed UK has been profitable every year since the acquisition by Langley and with the appointment of Peter Redmond and his knowledge of the industry, I can see it going from strength to strength".

Manroland Sheetfed chief executive Rafael Penuela thanked Hawley for his contribution to the business, and said it was good to have Redmond back in the business: "We are totally committed to the printing market in the UK, and with Peter’s extensive experience in the print industry, we will continue to support our customers in the territory with the utmost dedication." 

Last month Langley Holdings chairman Tony Langley said the group was looking for bolt-on acquisitions to bolster the Manroland Sheetfed manufacturing facility in Germany.