Tim Klemz steps up to become chairman of Picon

Print Solutions

Tim Klemz, managing director of Compact Engineering, is to become Picon chairman. His appointment was ratified at the Picon AGM on Friday 26 June. He is only the second member of the British Paper Machinery Suppliers Association (BPMSA), which is a division of Picon representing paper manufacturers, to step up to the top role. The previous was Michael Southworth 30 years ago.

Stuart Murphy (left) with Tim Klemz.

Bettine Pellant, Picon CEO, said: ‘Tim will bring new thinking to the role of Picon chairman. He is smart, committed and knows his own mind. His company, founded by his father David, produces energy efficient infrared drying solutions to the paper and pulp industry so his environmental knowledge and European business experience will be a great asset.’

Tim has been instrumental in raising the profile of the BPMSA which will be exhibiting at the UK Corrugated Industry Trade Show in Telford in October.

‘At BPMSA meetings we chat about what is going on – the good the bad and the ugly – and we always have a round table where everyone can express their opinion of current market conditions and I provide an overview to the Picon Council of what the BPMSA is up to and what is happening in the domestic market,’ said Tim.

Membership of Picon has given him and his company ‘some great friendships, top advice and the benefit of a well educated and wise hive minded Picon council’.

Tim has been a member of the Picon Council since 2009. He succeeds Stuart Murphy, director of Rollem, who he says has ‘maintained a steady course in turbulent times’.

Tim’s chairmanship will run through the switch of CEO, with Bettine Pellant making way to Iain Bullock this autumn. ‘I really don’t think there will be any disruption,’ said Tim. ‘Picon is blessed with some frighteningly organised people who toil away in the background and keep even the loosest of cannons on target!’

Tim is a Yorkshireman who is also on the board of the Paper Industry Technical Association and is heavily involved in local charity work.