Watkiss directors Paul and Susan Attew to retire

Print Solutions

Following the last year’s acquisition of Watkiss Automation Limited by Plockmatic Group, Paul and Susan Attew have announced their decision to retire from the business to pursue their other interests outside of the printing industry.

Paul and Susan have been with Watkiss since the very early days and have been instrumental in guiding the success of the business over the years. Whilst Paul focused on the worldwide sales efforts, Susan controlled the administration and finances of the company, based in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Paul Attew and Jan Marstorp, CEO Plockmatic Group.

Ray Hillhouse will assume the role of general manager, UK operations for the Plockmatic Group and will oversee both the Morgana and Watkiss operations in the UK.

Commenting on Paul and Susan’s retirement, Ray said: ‘Whilst we are sad to see Paul and Susan depart from the business I am pleased they are taking the opportunity to do other things which they dearly love and enjoy, including the management of their stud farm. I and all the staff in the group wish them well in their future ventures.’

Since the integration of Watkiss into the Plockmatic Group, demand for its flagship PowerSquare 224 unit has never been higher. The group is also in the launch phase of the new PowerSquare 160 unit.

Ray continued, ‘The order book is full right now, and we continue to focus on increasing production at the Sandy site. We have added a great product range into our sales and distribution channels and now have much stronger interest from the print engine manufacturers to integrate the PowerSquare 160.

‘Many of the print engines now coming to market can offer enhanced long sheet applications, and the PowerSquare 160 is ideally placed as a cost effective solution to the increasing need for a wider range of inline booklet formats, such as landscape A4.’

In keeping with other products in the range, off line versions of the PowerSquare machines will be branded as Morgana with in line units sold under the Plockmatic and OEM names.