Lakin will become UK sales manager, forming part of a new wide-format team that is being established by managing director Graham Evans in a push by the company on the UK market.

The team will handle sales for a range of machines including the 16-head Durst Rho 205/16 flatbed ink-jet printer in the UK, which had its first installation in the UK in September at Kolorcraft based in Osset near Wakefield, earlier this year (PrintWeek, 2 September).

Lakin has considerable experience, having worked for Agfa, Screen, Barco Graphics and Indigo.

"I wanted to further my career in a company that not only offers good job prospects but also one that has an exciting vision for the future," he said.

Evans worked with Lakin at HP Indigo and said his appointment was "the icing on the cake" to measures put in place since January.

Evans said he hoped to announce further additions to the sales force early in the new year.