International Paper UK (IP) has appointed John Pieron as sales director to oversee the firms sales development.

Pieron, who has worked for IP for 13 years, was formerly the general manager at IPs beverage packaging division in Lyon, and prior to that general manager of Industrial Papers Europe in Heelen in the Netherlands.

Pieron said: The industry is changing from the suppliers side. Also, the customer base and merchants are becoming more pan-European, so distribution channels are changing.

He added that his experience at IP and knowledge of the European markets would stand him in good stead for his new role.

My aim is to build the UK sales force into a first-class partner, said Pieron.

He is based at the companys UK headquarters in Inverurie, and will also assume responsibility for sales of office and offset papers from the companys mills in Russia, France and Poland.

IP managing director Will Oldham said: This adds significant strength to our management team and reflects the importance of both the UK market and the Inverurie mill.

Story by John Davies