Electronics For Imaging, Inc. today announced the appointment of Dr. Douglas Edwards as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). With his extensive experience in the printing industry, Edwards succeeds Ghilad Dziesietnik, who recently retired after nearly 25 years with EFI, including the last 14 years as CTO. Edwards, who will take up his new responsibilities today, has many years of experience in management positions as well as in research and development. Prior to his appointment as CTO of EFI, Edwards was CEO of Xaar plc, a leading developer of inkjet print head technology based in Cambridge, England, and Chairman of Xaar 3D Ltd, the joint venture company with Stratasys Ltd for 3D printing.
Prior to joining Xaar, Edwards was president of Kodak's Digital Printing & Enterprise Business until 2015. In this role, he was responsible for flexible packaging, functional and electro-photographic printing solutions, as well as commercial and inkjet printing solutions with total sales of approximately $800 million. Prior to that, Edwards led Kodak's largest division, Prepress Solutions, with annual sales of $1.5 billion. Edwards moved from Kodak™ to Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG), a 50 percent joint venture between Eastman Kodak and Sun Chemical Corporation, where he was vice president of research and development. He also held several senior research and development positions at International Paper®, Zeneca Specialties (formerly ICI Colors & Fine Chemicals) and Ilford® Photographic Ltd in the UK.
"Edwards is one of the most experienced technical experts in our industry, combining extensive technical expertise with proven business success," said Jeff Jacobson, Chairman and CEO of EFI. "EFI has always seen itself as a provider of innovative technical solutions designed to give its customers a competitive edge. In my time as CEO of KPG and also as COO of Kodak's Graphic Communications Division, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Edwards. I believe that no other person in our industry is better suited to lead EFI's strategic and technical development.
Edwards, who works at EFI's Manchester office in New Hampshire, has a bachelor's degree and doctorate (thesis on conductive organic materials) in chemical sciences from London University. He holds several patents and has published scientific papers and books on topics including solid state conductivity and photographic materials. He has also published scientific research studies on textile dyeing, including work on the solution behaviour of anionic azo dyes for textile fibres.
"While working at Xaar, EFI was a client of mine. So I know very well what great opportunities EFI now has to further develop its portfolio, which includes many of the world's leading digital inkjet printing and workflow solutions," said Edwards. "With its vendor-independent approach, EFI leverages printhead technology from a variety of vendors. I look forward to bringing my expertise in inkjet printing to add value to this strategy and to optimise EFI's 'best of breed' approach".
"During my time at Kodak and KPG, I have greatly appreciated Jeff Jacobson's innovative thinking and approach to technical development," Edwards continued. "I look forward to working with him and the global EFI team to help our customers achieve further success in high-quality print production.
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