Parkside appoints new UK ops director amid ongoing investments

Coventry-based packaging manufacturer Parkside has named former Trinity Mirror and News International manager Alex Henderson as operations director to oversee ambitious expansion and investment plans.

Henderson, who has worked in the printing industry for 30 years, will oversee the refurbishment of the firm’s 6,600sqm Normanton, West Yorkshire site as well as the installation in the coming months of an eight-colour Windmoeller & Hoelscher Miraflex flexographic printing press.

The new device will replace a 10-colour Windmoeller & Hoelscher Primaflex model, which is to be re-housed at the firm’s operation in Kuala Lumpur.

The UK operation, which employs 131 people, contributes £19m to Parkside’s £33m annual turnover, with £14m being generated from its sites in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

The firm specialises in packaging for the food, drink and tobacco industries.

Henderson said: “I am looking forward to helping the business achieve its commercial objectives. Parkside has a tremendous growth strategy in place and is launching some fantastic new products to customers.

“I am excited about the prospect of using my skills and experience to help deliver business improvements and further our adoption and development of industry best practice.”

Parkside managing director Nick Smith said Henderson was joining Parkside at a “pivotal time” with significant investment going into its UK and Asia sites.  

He added: “Alex is experienced in leading teams, developing strategies and implementing positive change to drive improvements in all key result areas.

“The experience that Alex brings with him to Parkside means that I have every confidence in him being able to oversee our UK plans efficiently and successfully and he will be a great addition to the leadership team here.”