Richard Kemp has officially taken over as chief operating officer for DIC in Australia and New Zealand, making the move from Sun Chemical, previously based in the UK.
It is the first job based in Australia for Kemp, with Ian Johns having held the adjacent role of managing director for nine years prior to retiring at the end of 2018. Johns stayed on for three months to transition the business, and assist Kemp.
Comparing the ANZ experience to the UK, Kemp told Australian Printer, “My career has been mostly in Europe, and the UK, working for Sun Chemical, a subsidiary of DIC.
“The market dynamics in Australia are similar, we see the same macro pressures across the Oceanic region: declining volumes in the publications market whilst experiencing stability and growth across the packaging sectors.
“Moving forward, packaging, flexible packaging, corrugated, offset packaging, narrow web will be the cornerstone for the DIC business, through the supply of world class products, market leading service and support and continuous product development.
“That said, we are fully-committed to supporting our non-packaging customer base.
“We realise that our non-packaging customers require the highest quality products, at the most cost-effective price points, in terms of raw material advantages and supply chain efficiencies, which in turn helps them to future-proof their business during tough trading times.
“In all areas, we are focused on providing the market innovative products and supply chain solutions that meet the demands of the industry, in terms of print performance, regulatory compliance and provide real value to our customers.
“One of the big issues that the print industry faces at this moment in time is raw material inflation, along with continuity of sourcing of raw materials from certain regions.
“For instance, the availability of certain photoinitiators that are needed for the packaging market are in short supply along with certain grades of graphic art pigments.
“Fortunately, being part of the DIC Corporation, we can offer our customers security of supply where it is possible.
“As we move forward, our focus is ensuring we have a sustainable business model that fits the needs of the markets we service in Australia and New Zealand and offers value to customers and shareholders alike. DIC remains focused on our traditional graphic arts markets, whilst looking at opportunities to diversifying into new markets, either through product development, or potential acquisitions.”
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