"Our rivals are always spreading the rumour that we're only here for a while... and this sends a clear signal to customers that we are here [in Europe] for the long haul," said MLP UK managing director Thomas Doliwa.

The new 1.4m (2m) 1,800m2 headquarters, near Paris, will not only house the first B1 Diamond 3000 Tandem Perfector four-back-four in Europe but also a B1 Diamond 3000LX six-colour plus UV coater.

Yasuo Morita, formerly director of MLP's sheetfed R&D in Japan, has also joined the firm, as its "high ranking bridge to Japan".
According to Doliwa, Morita's appointment will allow the manufacturer to take on board European customers' needs for its next generation of presses, as well as help with customers' special configurations.

As a further part of the firm's renewed focus on Europe Guido van Loo has joined as European technical director. He was previously technical director for MAN Roland in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The UK operation has promoted Andy Hainsworth to technical director, heading up the firm's 15 strong service team.

"We have the best ratio between engineers and installed base, and this is not because we have so few machines," said Doliwa. "Service is our strongest weapon."

Leeds, which supplies 1,400 spares a month,  will continue to be MLP's European parts centre.

The firm this week began installation of Howitt's B1 six-colour Diamond 3000LX.

Story by Darryl Danielli