Carr took up his role, as sales director, Ryobi large-format presses, two weeks ago. Before that he was sales director at Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses UK.

"His knowledge and experience will be an excellent addition to our team," said Apex joint managing director Bernard Parker.

"It was never my plan to retire at 60," said Carr. "So I am delighted about this opportunity and I'm going to work hard to make a success of it."

Carr said he had received a number of job offers but once Hemel Hempstead-based Apex expressed an interest the decision was made.

"I was very impressed with the introduction of the B2 format Ryobi 750 series," he said.

Carr will use his 43 years of industry experience to help the firm open the UK market to the A1 format 920 series presses.

"He can walk through the door of B1 and B2 houses comfortably. As the company grows into larger format presses we need people like that," said joint managing director Bob Usher.

The 920 has been available in the Japanese market for a number of years, but it has recently been CE-accredited and is available in the UK. The press will not show at Ipex. "The machine is identical to 750 series, which we will have at the show, it simply has a larger set of cylinders," said Usher.

He also hinted that it would not be long before Ryobi launched a B1 press.