The company has expanded its leadership team ahead of the opening of its first European production site, in Silverstone, Northamptonshire, later this month.

Peat, who started in the new role on 1 October, joins EPac from MCC Label, where he was most recently global chief technology officer and president of healthcare for Europe.

He comes with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare, home and personal care, and beverage label markets, having previously joint-owned New Era Packaging in Ireland and held senior positions with global label printing companies CCL and MCC.

In his new role, Peat oversees all sites in the UK and Ireland, as EPac UK expands in those markets. He is set to work closely with Johnny Hobeika, the managing director of EPac Holdings Europe, and Nick Monk, sales director for UK and Ireland and managing partner for EPac UK.

Peat said: “The flexible packaging market in Europe is most definitely ripe for innovation, and in particular, ready for digital print with all the benefits the technology can bring to brands of all sizes.

“I have always had a passion for pushing the boundaries and relish the chance to be an integral part of EPac UK’s future.”

Hobeika called Peat’s appointment “a major step forward” for the company, and said it comes at a crucial point.

The opening of the Silverstone site is a key development for EPac UK. The business is built on a successful digital-only print concept first launched by EPac Flexible Packaging in the US in 2016. This is its first physical site in the UK, where 30-40 people will eventually be employed.