Blue Star, which is the region’s third biggest printer after PMP and IPMG, with annual sales of around $500m, has also signalled it intends to continue its rapid expansion programme, but will now be looking further afield, seeking initially to take its print management services into south east Asia.
In another new move Mitchell will sit in Sydney, indicating a shift in the company’s centre of operations from Auckland. Mitchell comes form outside the print industry, he was most recently vice president and regional general manager of Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in Australia and New Zealand.
Tom Sturgess, who has driven Blue Star’s dramatic growth over the last two years, and who remains a minority shareholder, will remain with the company as a director.
Blue Star Print Group chairman Nick Greiner is quoted on press reports as saying that during his time at EDS, Mitchell secured $4bn in contracts, and restructured the cost base and operational processes of the company. He also helped pioneering the EDS Go for Green environment programme which won acclaim from the IT industry in Australasia.
Prior to joining EDS, Mr Mitchell was a
Vice President at AT Kearney, a
leading global management consulting firm, where he headed up the firm's
Communications, Media and Entertainment consulting practice in Asia.
Mitchell has also held various
leadership roles with Coopers & Lybrand
and Price Waterhouse in the UK and Europe.
"Chris brings strong strategic skills and industry expertise in operations
and developing technology-led client solutions", Greiner said, adding "Chris
is an outstanding addition to the very talented management team
currently in place at Blue Star. Chris' strengths and experience are well
aligned with the future strategic direction of the business. Chris will play
a critical leadership role in helping achieve the key goals the Board have
set for the company."
Chris Mitchell said, "In an industry
undergoing significant change, Blue
Star is the standout performer, due in no small part to the strength and
experience of the existing senior management team. This change offers
exciting yet familiar challenges to me.
"The company has capitalised on the trend of Australasian businesses to
consolidate and outsource their print, mail, digital asset management,
inventory management and logistics needs to single suppliers. Blue Star is
capable of managing the full suite of these services in a cost and quality
effective manner, while meeting increasing sustainability responsibilities.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with my new team to continue to
develop Blue Star's print management solutions in Australia
and New Zealand.
The company is also planning to expand these services throughout South East
Asia."
