Gee, currently the general manager with CPI company Redwood Books and who formerly worked at Polestar, will report to Clowes managing director Ian Foyster.

It is the second high profile departure from Redwood to Clowes after sales and commercial director Harry Elson made the switch in the summer.

Foyster said Gee was an additional member to the management team. He came highly recommended by Elson and will bring a level of professionalism to the company as Clowes makes the transition from a directories and research book printer towards a more commercial operation, he said.

Clowes finalised the sale of its Beccles site to Tesco this week and plans to relocate to its new 10,000m2 single room purpose built facility, also in Beccles, by the end of August next year.

Foyster confirmed a number of additional investments, including the ordering of a 1.75m 96pp Royal Timson press on December 18 (today) for delivery in July next year.

Clowes has also bought a fourth Solna two-unit web for installation in early March 2004 at the new site, ensuring a continuous three press operation throughout the relocation process, a new jacketing machine, blocking and casemaking machinery, and an update to its MIS with Radius Vision.

Story by Tony Brown