Agfa UK's system sales and customer support manager, Ralph Hilsdon, is to head up the firm's European systems integration business in the new year.


The increased use of digital workflow to drive large-format output devices and the rise of pan-European and global print groups have prompted the move.


"Sometimes now the workflow can cost as much as the platesetter," said Hilsdon. "When you start talking about 22 B1 plates per hour that's a lot of pages."


Hilsdon will be based at Agfa's European headquarters in Geneva for his role as systems integration manager, print and publishing.


"There is a growing number of companies with a European focus, especially in packaging," he said. "Packaging is beginning to go CTP."


Agfa UK has been particularly successful in its systems sales, showing consistent 30% growth year on year tied to the market for B1 output - initially imagesetters, and this year platesetters.


In the UK, Hilsdon's team will take on his work, with no direct replacement.


"There's a good team and I'll be there at the end of the day - despite what some people think, the UK is part of Europe," he said.


Story by Barney Cox