Labels and narrow web get bumped up the totem pole as industry stalwart Mark Bladon signs onto the Fujifilm team. With over 25 years printing industry experience on both sides of the supplier line, Bladon brings a formidable pedigree in the graphic arts to his new role as business development manager for this thriving sector.
Bladon (pictured) comes on board to help grow Fujifilm's user base for its UVivid ink portfolio, as well as coatings for narrow web, flexo and UV packaging converters across the country. He will also have a hand in introducing new-to-market digital solutions aimed at short run job profiles. According to Bladon, the move will give him the chance to develop strong relationships in these important and growing markets.
"Joining a company with Fujifilm's resources and global footprint is a rare opportunity and I look forward with great enthusiasm to helping our label and narrow web customers negotiate industry changes between conventional and digital technologies. With leading products in both camps, Fujifilm is a strong partner for the profitable growth of label and narrow web printing businesses," he says.
A UK native, Bladon graduated from Southhampton Institute of Art and Design and served a full apprenticeship as a printer before relocating to Australia ten years ago. He worked his way up to pressroom manager, ultimately moving into a sales and marketing role and finally crossing the supplier lines when he joined KBA Australia in 2004. Bladon developed an exhaustive understanding of the offset market with KBA and, later, Heidelberg. He then moved on to gain valuable digital experience through a couple of stints with Konica Minolta and the Currie Group working on HP Indigo.
Fujifilm's national sales manager for graphic systems, Paul Budgen, praises the appointment and welcomes Bladon, saying, "Having someone with Mark's depth of experience join the team is a tremendous boost to our goal of deeper penetration in the core graphic arts. The label sector is experiencing significant growth, which Fujifilm Australia intends to capitalise upon. Our Fujifilm Sericol narrow web inks and colour management already provide a firm platform to build on and the next step is to expand our hardware offerings. We are delighted to welcome Mark on board to help drive these initiatives."