"We have a global policy within the group that when employees reach 60 they have to retire, and Mick turned 60 in September," said MLP UK managing director Thomas Doliwa.

Carr joined Mitsubishi in January 2001 as southern sales manager and was promoted to sales director in June 2004. In his time with the firm, he has sold 37 presses, out of the firm's 120-strong installed base.

"I've been responsible for selling one third of the Mitsubishis installed in the UK, and at the end of Mitsubishi Lithographic's best year, it has been decided that I am to retire," said Carr.

"I feel I've got a lot more left that I can offer the industry and I'm looking forward to my next challenge."

Carr will leave the firm at the end of the year. MLP UK will not appoint a successor. Instead Doliwa will take over Carr's sales responsibilities.

"It will give me an opportunity to dive into the daily business in the UK and visit all of the customers and see all of the projects, giving me enormous input," said Doliwa.