"It's great to be back," said Roger, who had previously spent five years running the postpress sales operation at MAN Roland GB. "Press sales here at MAN Roland, for both web and sheetfed, have been very buoyant over recent times. It is my task to ensure that the finishing products handled by the company follow that trend.

"I have been a huge Wohlenberg fan for many years. The company has an innovative culture with a clear market led philosophy, and the product range is now even better than before. The German finishing specialist has seen significant increases in its sales on a worldwide basis during the last few years. We need to replicate that success here in the UK.

"Wohlenberg has led the way in many areas of binding: it was the pioneer in the production of PUR adhesive binding systems; it was the first to employ a drum cover feeder; it was the first to create a system for cutting the foredge of a book block within the architecture of the machine; and it has the most productive gatherer in its sector of the market - just as a few examples!

"The company's Baumann operation also has the most complete range of paper handling products of any supplier, including its latest BASA product, which automatically takes paper straight from the pallet to the jogger, enabling the complete automation of the handling process.

"With the new Wohlenberg factory nearing completion in Germany - which will ensure that the supplier can keep pace with demand for its products - and the commitment of MAN Roland GB, it is an ideal time for me to return to the fold and help to further promote sales of the equipment," concluded Roger.

Commenting on Roger's appointment, Gary Doman, Director of Sheetfed and Finishing Equipment Sales for MAN Roland GB, said: "Roger's experience and expertise in the sale of finishing products is exactly what we need at this point in time. We were delighted to be able to offer him this particular role within the company, and I am looking forward to working closely with him again. We have been delighted with the sales performance in the press areas of the business in recent times, and are aware that we need to bring our finishing equipment business up to a similar level. Roger is the right person to help us do just that."

Wohlenberg manufactures the leading series of mid-range perfect binding systems for commercial print, trade finishing and bookbinding, within a speed range of 2,000cph to 8,000cph. The company also produce a range of high productivity guillotines from the small format 76cm guillotine right through to a 185cm system. Baumann paper handling equipment works in conjunction with a guillotine to significantly increase productivity in the finishing department, and reduce the potential for back straines and other lifting related injuries. The company's own figures show an increase in productivity of between 30% and 100% over the manual movement of paper stock.