Durst appoints Christoph Gamper as new CEO

Gamper took up the role at the beginning of May, succeeding Dr Richard Piock, who had been in charge of the group for more than 20 years.

Piock has joined the board of directors as president of the Durst Phototechnik AG.

Prior to his career at Durst, Gamper was European managing director and then vice-president of the listed colorimetry company Datacolor AG. In Zurich and New York, he was responsible for developing the company's European business activities, and later for the division's global expansion. He has also worked with kdg AG, Koch Media and Athesia GmbH.

Since July 2011, Gamper, the designated CEO and executive vice-president, has been responsible for the industrial segments of the Durst Phototechnik AG, and the organization and development of the new textile division.

Gamper will lead Durst Phototechnik AG and its subsidiaries. In addition to the head office and the industrial production site in Brixen, South Tyrol, Italy, Durst Phototechnik AG includes the research and production facility Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology GmbH in Lienz, East Tyrol, in Austria and various sales offices in North and South America, Europe, Asia and India.

Christof Oberrauch, representative of the owner family and outgoing chairman of the board of directors of Durst Phototechnik AG, said: ´We are very happy to have found a worthy successor for the outstanding achievements of Dr Richard Piock.

´Under Dr Richard Piock, Durst managed the transition to a globally leading producer of industrial inkjet applications. It is now Christoph Gamper´s task to continue this development, to access new markets and to advance our internationalization.

‘In tune with the motto “think globally, act locally”, we are very pleased to have found Christoph Gamper, who is a local Southern Tyrolean, with strong leadership qualities, who has gained international experience by successfully managing globally active companies.’

Gamper said: ´I am very happy to be given the chance to incorporate my international experience here at Durst, and to advance the adaptation of high-end technologies in different industries.

‘We have the technological know-how and the innovative drive, and we will continue to expand our presence in the international markets. We will continuously develop our corporate culture, aiming to create technological innovations that optimize the value added for our global customer base and provide them with the competitive edge.

‘South Tyrol and high-end technology is our origin, internationalization is our future.’