The Italian paper producer has appointed former ArjoWiggins marketing manager Simon Shenton to the role of UK sales manager.

Shenton, who has worked in Italy with Arjo and speaks fluent Italian, will head up the 20-strong team at the firm's Northampton base. He replaces Mick McDonagh, who left the firm due to ill health.

"In the next two to three years there are plans to strengthen the business and increase our market share," said Shenton.

He said the firm's aim would be to focus on the Midlands area, but he did not rule out inter-merchant tie-ups in the north of England and Scotland in the future.

Meanwhile, Fedrigoni Group chief executive Giuseppe Fedrigoni said the company would embark on FSC certification in November this year, and once certified he said FSC-labelled products would follow. The company has already become one of the few to have acquired Eco-Label certification.

Investments made over the past year will lead to an increase in the group's production capacity, and Fedrigoni said the group's aim is to increase its European market share, despite difficult market conditions.

Fedrigoni's turnover in 2004 was 341m (497m), with a production output of 346,000 tonnes.