Martin Dallas, previously chief executive of Advanced Coated Products, started in the role last month. Current chairman Dennis Marrison, who has served on the board of the Burntwood-based business since 2008, is set to leave next year following the completion of a transition period.
Dallas has extensive experience in packaging, having worked in a variety of senior roles at Cadbury Schweppes, followed by seven years with Amcor, firstly as commercial director and later leading the transformation of the fresh food market categories.
In this role he worked closely with retailers and major brand owners to deliver sustainable, creative and cost-effective packaging throughout Europe and the Americas.
Dallas then moved on to Payne, a division of Filtrona, as managing director of Packaging Solutions, and by February 2014 was leading the Specialty Technology business of the rebranded Essentra. There he was responsible for creating a global transformational strategy, before taking up the leadership of Advanced Coated Products.
Mercian Labels managing director Adrian Steele said: “With a huge range of experience in the packaging industry, Martin is ideally suited to take Mercian to the next phase of its development as a world class manufacturer and supplier of labels and packaging solutions.
“Coinciding with its 50th anniversary, Mercian’s strategic growth plan will be much enhanced with the knowledge and expertise that Martin has to offer.”
Earlier this year Mercian transferred its Derby-based operations to its main Burntwood site 40 miles away in Staffordshire to bring all of its processes under one roof and streamline operations.
The £4m-turnover business employs around 50 people at the 2,500sqm premises and its kit includes an eight-colour, high-speed flexo-press and Xeikon CX3 and 3300 digital machines.
Three years ago, Mercian became the first printer in the world to install the Xeikon Cheetah digital label press.
