Ed Hudson has been appointed General Manager for the Plockmatic Group’s UK Sales and Service operation. The appointment, effective from May 1st, forms part of the company’s growth strategy to focus further on customers’ needs for increased automation and to improve the “go-to” market strategy by streamlining both inline and offline solution sales. The move coincides with the decision of Ray Hillhouse – VP of Sales and Marketing Offline – to take early retirement.
Ed's industry experience began with Xerox in the mid ‘90s followed by a 17 year spell with Océ and Canon. From humble beginnings, roles evolved and included National Sales and Marketing Management. In 2014, Ed moved on to a career outside of print, initially in Environmental Consultancy, and then in the power quality business, where he worked with a wide variety of customers around the world. In late 2024, Ed joined IBIS Integrated Binding Systems, based in High Wycombe, as Sales Director.
In this newly created role of Plockmatic Group’s UK General Manager, Ed Hudson will be responsible for sales, service and support for both inline and offline post-press products in the UK. "Our UK client base is currently facing increasing challenges with higher employment costs, supply chain uncertainty and, in some cases, the fallout from US tariffs. We look to further understand our clients’ requirements and offer the best technical and most cost effective solution in every case, helping them to find the right solution for their business, whether that’s an inline or offline product. Equipment includes the extended range of equipment from the Plockmatic Group including Morgana, Intec, Uchida, Summa/Valiani, GBC, Mohr, EBA, Citoborma, Hohner, Rhino-o-Tuff, Cany, and many more.
Going forward they intend to re-brand the business as Plockmatic Group UK, in turn consolidating the individual Morgana and Intec brands in a similar way as has happened with Watkiss Automation Ltd, and KGS srl, the PUR binder manufacturing operation. The company will continue its strong support for trade events around the world, having exhibited at FESPA in Berlin, with further showings at Printing United Expo, and Amplify Print in the USA, Labelexpo in Spain, All2Print and Sign & Print in the Nordics, and most importantly at SouthPrint and Finish at Brands Hatch on June 25-26, and The Print Show at the NEC on 23-25 September.
Industry veteran Ray Hillhouse has decided to take early retirement from a 40 year print career. Ray joined small offset machine manufacturer ABDick in 1985 as a service engineer. He soon switched to a sales position and then onto a marketing role in that company’s head office in Brentford.
Ray moved to Morgana in 2010 to take over the management of the UK sales team. Following Plockmatic’s acquisition of Morgana he has again progressed via a variety of positions to Director level, as the business acquired Watkiss Automation in 2018 and then Intec Printing Solutions in 2022. Ray’s decision to bow out follows a hectic period of international travel, including frequent trips to the US where he was establishing and upgrading suitable sales and distribution channels across the country. Ray’s former roles within Plockmatic Group have been distributed to others in the management team, plus the addition of Ed Hudson to manage the UK.
www.plockmaticgroup.com