Filler, who joined the industry 50 years ago as an apprentice photolithographer at Stellar Press, joined Screen in 1981 in a sales position before being promoted to UK managing director in 2000, European vice president in 2010 and his current position in 2013.
“Unlike what we are seeing in the UK now, mine is a planned Brexit,” Filler told PrintWeek. “It was always planned that I would retire some time after Drupa. This was my ninth one with Screen so I feel I’ve done my bit.
“We actually had a great Drupa and I’m leaving the business in good shape which makes me feel comfortable,” Filler said.
The announcement comes after Screen Europe vice-president of solutions and technology Tim Taylor’s sudden departure to competitor Ricoh during Drupa this year. Filler said the timings were purely coincidental.
After completing his apprenticeship with Stellar Press, Filler joined trade platemaking firm Satellite becoming studio manager and went on to develop his sales career with John Hadland Graphic Arts, finally joining Screen UK in 1981.
“The two most exciting things for me during my time have been have been the move to computer-to-plate and then the transition from CTP to inkjet. During the move to CTP, businesses were growing and everyone was investing in CTP. Almost every printer in the country had a CTP system of some sort. That was tremendously exciting,” Filler said.
He added: “It’s good to see it’s still moving forward and still very exciting. The new inks for our high-speed inkjet and the quality of inkjet is now truly as good as litho. The changeover to inkjet will just accelerate faster and faster.”
Filler has also been heavily involved with industry associations as president of the APMI from 2006 to 2008 and chairman of Picon from 2009 to 2011.
He said that although he planned to “fully retire with no intention of taking on any non-exec roles”, he was sad to be leaving the industry.
“I think what’s probably accelerated my decision is the amount of people in the news that seem to be popping off recently. I think it's time to hang up my boots and enjoy other things.”
Filler said he was looking forward to working on the committee of his golf club and getting more involved with his local camera club.
“The biggest problem is going to be for my wife,” he said. “I’ve been working in Holland for the last few years and when I first started that we didn’t know how we would manage but now I won’t be going there every week I think she is panicking and wondering what she is going to do with me. I think she’ll be kicking me out and keeping me busy,” Filler said.
