Picon elects new chairman

A top priority for Usher will be to increase the effectiveness of the UK print industry’s representation to government and other bodies, with the recent formation of the Graphic Print & Media Alliance (GPMA) set to provide a major boost to lobbying efforts. 

GPMA is an umbrella group for a consortium of print and graphic arts trade associations to represent the joint interests of the industry as a whole. Founding members are the British Association for Print & Communication (BAPC), British Coatings Federation (BCF), FESPA UK, Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), Picon, the Process & Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) and the Rubicon Network.

Usher has worked in the printing industry since 1966, starting as a technician with Rotaprint, then joining AM Multigraphics followed by Itek Graphic Products. He founded Apex Reprographics in 1989 which became Apex Digital Graphics in 1995 following the introduction of CtP technology. Today, the company is the UK distributor for Ryobi presses and supplies Konica Minolta digital presses.

Usher succeeds Peter Morris, chief executive officer of Friedheim UK, who has completed his two-year term, but remains involved with Picon. 

Picon’s recent annual general meeting also elected Andy Cook, managing director of FFEI, to the Picon council. The council is now comprised of: Tim Klemz, Compact Engineering; Ron Chambers, Kadant; Gerard Heanue, Heidelberg; Peter Morris, Friedheim International; Keith Dalton, Fujifilm UK; Robert Flather, Kolbus; Neil Sutton, Komori; Quen Baum, Morgana; Brian Filler, Screen; and FFEI’s Cook. 

Picon has also named three new member companies in thermoplastic extrusion specialist C&K Extrusions, and digital press specialists MGI Technology and Ricoh.

Usher said: ‘Peter deserves a lot of credit for his role in bringing together the seven trade associations that form the GPMA. 

‘The UK print, media and graphic arts industry now has the opportunity to find a stronger, louder collective voice and appeal successfully for the support we deserve as the country’s sixth largest industry.  I shall be working hard with the other GPMA members to bring other trade bodies on board.’

Usher is also aiming to continue broadening the membership of Picon, with a particular focus on attracting new members from the digital and cross-media sectors, as well as supporting Ipex 2014.

‘It’s important for the UK printing industry that Ipex continues to be successful,’ he said.

Morris said: ‘Picon is in excellent hands with Bob as chairman for the next two years. The depth of industry experience he brings to the role, particularly from the digital side, will benefit members considerably as the implications for digital technology within the industry become clearer. 

‘For myself, I look back on the last two years with pleasure and pride, especially the creation of the GPMA as an umbrella industry organisation for a previously disparate collection of sector representatives.’