French printer Aussenac new Fespa president

French sign and display company boss Christophe Aussenac is new president of global trade assocation Fespa, and replaces outgoing president Christian Duyckaerts, whom he has supported as vice president since 2017.

Inaugerated at an assembly of Fespa’s national Associations at Fespa Global Print Expo 2021 which has just taken place in Amsterdam, Aussenac was also appointed to the role of Fespa’s Asia Ambassador.

“Assuming the Presidency during Fespa’s first live event since 2019 is a proud and emotional moment after such an extraordinary period in our professional and personal lives. As a speciality printer myself, I believe that Fespa has a vital role to play in supporting our global community to continue to evolve, innovate and rise to the challenges and opportunities that face us, in particular, the imperative to place more emphasis on environmental responsibility,” said Aussenac.

Keith Ferrel - General Manager Operations, Cactus Imaging, who sat on the panel with Aussenac at the Fespa Innovations & Trends: Where are we now? online discussion in May, says that “Christophe has big shoes to fill for Christian. He is a good man, and I think he will do a great job and will certainly enhance Fespa’s standing."

Aussenac is a founding director of Lyon-based ATC (Autorise Toute Creativité), which he established with his business partner in 1991. The company employs 60 people and provides a range of interior and outdoor signage, graphics, display and POS services to corporate and agency clients.

The Fespa Board now brings together direct print and visual communications expertise across sectors and applications including promotional graphics, conventional and digital signage, retail interiors, labels, industrial print, interior décor, textile print and garments.

Board members are now as follows:

Christophe Aussenac (France); Lascelle Barrow (UK); Christian Duyckaerts (Belgium); Gyorgy Kovacs (Hungary); Olav Skilbred (Norway); Alberto Masserdotti (Italy); Wouter van As (The Netherlands); Thomas Struckmeier (Germany) and Daniel Sunderland (Mexico)

“This is a critical time for our members. The prolonged global pandemic has put multiple pressures on print businesses, and owners are now re-building and re-imagining their future, with a stronger focus than ever on topics like production efficiency, diversification and automation. Looking ahead to 2022, we hope for the successful resumption of all our global Fespa events, and to being able to re-engage with all members of our community in the real world,” added said Aussenac.

The presidential term runs for three years.