He takes over from Neil Sutton, who has taken up the new role of chief operating officer for Komori International Europe after 12 years heading the UK business.

Turner joined Komori from used machinery specialist Sondhi Kellar in 2001. He began his career with the company as northern sales manager and was subsequently promoted through various roles to become director of sheetfed sales. 

Komori said that under his sales leadership the business had grown its market share.

Turner thanked Sutton for his contribution over the years, and said he was thrilled and very pleased to be given the new role. “I fully intend to continue with a ‘hands on’ approach,” he said, and described the current Komori product range, which now includes consumables supplies, as “exciting and dynamic”.

He said he would not be directly replaced as sales director. “I know all our customers and will keep close to them,” he added.

The 50-employee firm also appointed John Harrison to the new role of head of digital sales earlier this year.

The firm’s product range spans sheetfed presses for commercial and packaging printing, as well as digital printing and finishing kit.

“We are very well equipped in terms of product and service infrastructure to continue our market growth”, Turner said. “We are realigning the business as a total solutions provider with a burgeoning consumables business.”

He said that H-UV low energy UV presses remained a popular choice, with the “vast majority” of new press orders in that configuration. The firm has also secured some significant recent orders at packaging printers.  

In the digital printing space, Komori has a partnership with Konica Minolta for the B2-format Impremia IS29 sheetfed inkjet press, with the first in the UK installed at Lexon Group last year.

It also makes the transport system and chassis for Landa’s Nanography presses, and will sell its own version under the Impremia NS40 brand.

Sales at Komori UK increased from £26.5m to £37.5m in the year to 31 March 2017.

The European board now consists of president Ken Sagawa, CFO Erik Achterkamp, and Sutton. The president’s role in Europe had previously rotated between a number of Japanese executives.

Komori will host a packaging open house at its Utrecht headquarters on 16-17 May, featuring the new Komori Lithrone GX40 in a six-colour configuration with coater, an Impremia IS29, and Highcon Euclid.