Blagden Specialty Chemicals launched a fourth sector within its industrial division group. This sector, which focuses on Graphic Arts, is headed by Phil Randall, formerly the manager of Blagden Coatings. Michael Austin has joined Blagden to manage the company’s Coatings business.

“Our industrial business has grown considerably over recent years,” Blagden CEO Graham Turton said. “The addition of the Eckart pigment range to our portfolio in 2016, alongside the specialist additives we supply, makes us the ideal one-stop-shop for the digital and printing inks markets. The new sector aligns with our key supply partners’ end markets and ensures we provide the best possible service to our customers.”

Randall, who formerly ran the Coatings sector, is now business line manager for the Graphic Arts sector.

“This is an exciting opportunity to substantially develop our business in these markets,” he said. “Blagden is an established supplier for inkjet and printing inks manufacturers and the new dedicated sector allows us to direct resources to develop the products and service we offer.”

Austin joined Blagden as business line manager for the Coatings sector. He worked for Blagden previously, promoting and selling BYK Additives, and was most recently employed by Perstorp.

“Blagden provides coatings manufacturers in the U.K. and Ireland with the specialist ingredients which not only solve formulation issues, but also give their products the edge,” he said. “These, in combination with the technical expertise of our people, have helped to establish Blagden’s leading position in the Coatings market. I look forward to building on these strengths while bringing new growth to our business and investigating new opportunities with our customers and our supply partners.”