APMI and Picon merge

Picon, the association for manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, papermaking and paper converting sectors, and the Association of Printing Machinery Importers (APMI) have merged to become Picon, the Printing Industry Confederation. The merger forms an organization representing the full spectrum of UK manufacturers, importers, exporters and suppliers and takes effect from 1 January 2008.

‘The merger between these two long-established industry bodies marks a significant point in Picon's 60 year history. We have taken the best elements of both organizations to emerge as a stronger and leaner association which is more closely tuned to the needs of suppliers to the printing industry today,’ said George Clarke, Picon chairman and MD of Heidelberg UK.

‘It's the right time for us to join together,’ said Brian Filler, APMI president and MD of Screen UK. ‘A merger has been suggested in the past, but it wasn't until now that our objectives matched so closely. It will be a seamless process as the APMI members were already members of Picon.’ Filler will take on the role of vice chairman of Picon.