Frontline Freephone:
0800 743 766
Independent suppliers of software, hardware & consultancy solutions to the printing & design marketplace |
|
|
Allan Kennedy
(Operations Manager)  Having served an apprenticeship with the RNZAF as an Armament Fitter I joined Morrison Printing Inks in 1985 as a Technician, mainly installing and servicing the Compugraphic, (later to become AGFA) range of typesetting equipment. Through the many transition of this company, MPI, Manders Inks, Flint Ink, I continued developing industry experience in not only Pre-press but Press & Post-Press equipment support, serving as the groups National Service Manager. In 1998 I shifted with the Scitex agency to Toyo Inks and ran a small bunch of dedicated guys dealing with the pre-press equipment and Indigo Digital Presses. In 2000 I was approached by Creo to start-up their in country support, they had previously been operating out of Australia. Again with a small highly dedicated team we established Creo as the dominant CtP supplier to the NZ Printing Industry. Creo was purchased by Kodak in 2006 and as part of Kodak's go to market plan was offer up as a dealership in late 2007. Frontline Technologies took up the challenge in April 2008. Initially contracted to manager the transition for Frontline it became apparent that we were in a beneficial relationship so in February 2009 I became a full time employee and joined Frontline Technologies as their Operations Manager. While still having the Service Managers hat the addition of Operations role is a challenging and rewarding role that can only continue to keep me focused on the most dynamic industry in New Zealand, Printing. Craig Gemmell (Business Development Manager)  Todays workload is involved with sales and related marketing, logistics and new business opportunities, previous work has involved specialising in Operator training and installation of Agfa, Crossfield, Scanview, Macintosh and PC systems. Operator training and sales experience in Imation, Epson, Canon and HP wide format digital proofers including RIPS (Specialist in Best/EFI proofing software). Support and training expertise in Colour Calibration from Gretag MacBeth now Xrite. Many years involved in Digital Printing Sales, marketing and software support of Chromapress / Xeikon technology solutions. Also has included production management experience at leading Pre Press houses. Passions outside of work has to be family and friends and a great coffee goes along way! The deeper things of life are always close to the heart and how we can all make a difference for the better. Web sites to visit, www.invisiblechildren.com Craig Paul (General Manager)  Engineering and sales experience in Linotype, Linotype-Hell, Heidelberg, Scanview, Esko-Graphics, Highwater, Escher Grad, Harlequin RIPS, Macintosh and PC systems. Engineering and sales experience in Imation, Epson, Canon and HP wide format digital proofers including BEST/EFI Colour Management solutions. Engineering and sales experience in Colour Calibration throughout the full gambit of Digital workflow. Craig started what was Frontline Graphic's, dealing with the traditional pre press industry as a one man company in 1999, it has grown today to be a Fourteen person company maintaining strong growth and market share. David Bryant (Southern Region Sales Manager)   David an ex Printer, current Ski bunny who is passionate about the printing process. His great love in life is the Kodak thermal Direct plate for which he has been instrumental in establishing in NZ in over 13 sites.He also has a passion for all things Auckland and has tried many times to make the move but it has not quite worked out the way he has planned. Dave can be described as a man of many talents and skill sets. A real asset to the team! Elton McAleer (Systems Intergration Specialist)  Over the years I have been described as many things. My favourites and those safe for publication include 'enigma', 'maverick', 'guru' and 'wizard'. As Frontline's Integration Specialist I get to practice all of these character traits, splitting my time between R&D, customer relations, technical sales and firefighting problems when it all turns to custard on site! I have an unhealthy obsession with colour that can be traced back to 1994 when I got involved in the trade as a retoucher/scanner operator. At first I just experimented with colour, but I soon began using photoshop every day, not realising until it was too late that I was already hooked. I began working for the world's biggest colour dealer, Getty Images, first as the boss of a small team of foot soldiers, pushing small volumes of black & white editorial around London. I was then singled out by the Don to run production and distribution of the family's worldwide colour network, but this just served to fuel my addiction, and before long I was on the hard stuff - RGB, CMYK, LAB, spots - any colour i could get my hands on. Inevitably, I soon over-saturated, and was forced into colour rehab. I began to write features for magazines, dabbled in music and even tried TV presenting - anything to get away from colour. But it was no good. Bad colours would haunt my every waking moment, and in 2005 I ran away to New Zealand to try to make a fresh start. I made it my mission to help other people with their colour problems, and I have found talking to people about colour and getting them on to good, measureable colour management plans can really make a positive change, and helps me sleep at night. Gary D'Ott (Systems Engineer)  Gary brings a full range of experience in Colour scanning and Colour management, as it applies to Pre Press and Press systems, Densitometry, Colour Monitor Calibration and repair, Profiling, Mechanical and software engineering. Gary has completed a digital plate training course in Canada as well as updating on the latest Violet Light Platesetter technology and workflow techniques. Esko/Graphics trained engineer on CDI flexographic technology, including workflow, RIPS and output devices. Gary recently completed training on Dupont Digital proofing systems and has installed a number of units since then. He also has had experience on Digital Press technology. Grant Alsop Sales Account Manager  Grant has been in the Printing industry for 33 years, starting in a photolithograpy apprenticeship at Wilson and Horton, achieving trade certificate. Then working as a colour stripper at various companies including Laser Graphics (Mc Collums), LithoPro and Colorite before moving into sales at Agfa in 1995. After 7 years with Agfa Grant had the opportunity to go into partnership to start a business, Straight to Plate, a CTP Bureau service. As a director he was involved in sales, production and customer service. Straight to Plate was sold in March 2009. Grant has been married to Jacquie for 27 years and have 3 adult children and 1 beautiful granddaughter. "I enjoy time with family and friends. Other interests include sport, mainly rugby and motor racing, and I belong to the HSV owners club. I am excited about my future with Frontline Technologies, being involved at the forefront of the continuing evolution of our industry. Justin Dunne (Systems Engineer)  I initially started working in the Printing industry in 1988 working for Coates Brothers Printing Products who handled the Prepress consumables and support. I then worked solely on scanners and digital imaging equipment at Crossfield, then similarly at EAC Graphics and Heidelberg, until moving to Creo, which became Kodak and I’m now here at Frontline Technologies with this great team. I enjoy working in the printing industry and helping customers to achieve their targets and believe my colleagues are dedicated to this as well. I enjoy the contact with clients and appreciate their faith in us to provide them with solutions. I’m a total hedonist, and particularly enjoy bodysurfing, fishing, music, kayaking, mountain biking and good company. Ken Moxon Sales Account Manager  Ken commenced his career in the printing Industry as an Offset Printer completing his apprenticeship with Tanner Couch (now John Sands). The company specialized in the printing of calendars, greeting cards, games, and packaging. In the 1970s he was approached by Morrison Printing Inks and Machinery to try his hand as a technical representative, supporting the Ozasol range of presensitised plates. He worked in this position with MPI for nine years, enjoying selling and supporting this high quality product.
The next challenge was a move to AH Candy to introduce the new Toray Waterless plate technology to the market - Offset Printing without the use of water and fount solutions. This product was a little ahead of its time, with both offset ink and the presses requiring formula and mechanical changes for the plate to perform to its highest level. The plate is used today in many specialized situations in the printing industry.
The longest part of his career was 22 years with Agfa Graphic Systems, firstly employed as a technical rep selling and demonstrating copyproof, copyrapid plates, Agfa film, processors, graphic cameras and polyester offset plates. During the past 10 years Ken held the position of National Product Specialist for Agfa’s full range of CTP equipment, Thermal, Violet Polymer and Silver, Setprint Polyester plates and all the associated chemistry for these products. The past couple of years have been partly involved in promoting Agfa’s Ink Jet Technology.
Ken is looking forward to new challenges after recently joining the talented and professional team at Frontline in June 2009. Neil Rattray Southern Region  Neil has been involved in the Printing industry all his working life. He began with a paper run, and was subsequently employed via apprenticeship with R. D. Lucas and Son Nelson Evening Mail as a machine typographer. After apprenticeship, he served 2 years with Waikato Times, at that time being managed by Phil Harkness and Gus Tootle. Returned to Nelson Evening Mail, and completed 24 years with the Lucas family. A 10 year period at Marlborough Express as Systems Manager, which was then managed by Roger Rose and Joe Hills followed, before taking up employment with Agfa-Gevaert N.Z. Limited for 12 years as Graphics Sales (S.I.) Representative, based in Christchurch. Phil Tanuvasa (Systems Engineer)  Originally from Auckland, I transferred to Wellington in February 1998. I have been employed as a service engineer in the printing industry since 1986, when I was first employed by Morrison Printing Inks & Machinery in Penrose, Auckland. On April 1st 2008, Frontline Technologies NZ Limited becomes the Kodak Graphics Communications dealer in New Zealand, and I am employed with them based out of Wellington. My current role is Senior Field Engineer. I service the Kodak family of CTP devices (Trendsetter, Magnus & Lotem) & also Nexpress 2100/2500 digital printing presses. Richard Clements (Systems Engineer)  I began working for Frontline in April 2008 servicing the South Island after having worked in the Pre Press printing industry for the past 38yrs. Began as a Linotype Mechanic apprentice in 1970 at the ChCh Star, I ended up winning the NZ Apprentice of the year in 1974 and was rewarded with a 12mth trip to Melbourne Aust, where I worked for Datatronics, a company who at the time was manufacturing Pre Press systems. In 1985 I moved to Morrison Printing Inks after many company transitions finishing as Flint Ink, working on Compugraphic equipment and later Agfa products. Started with Agfa in 1997 servicing their product range, until 2003 when I worked for Creo / Kodak until here I am at Frontline. I have serviced all generations of typesetters / imagesetters and of course now platesetters with a variety on frontend software. I have lived in Christchurch most of my life, married with three adult children. Interested in following and watching all sports, played in the same hockey team for over 30yrs and still manage the blokes. Enjoy having a few quiet ones on a regular basis, and a meal out whenever possible. Sunder Kunamany (Systems Engineer)  Sunder is a qualified Electronic engineer with a Degree in Micro Electronics, he brings to Frontline a vast knowledge of Electronic machinery from the Packaging industry. Sunder specializes in the CTP setters and Plate processors that Frontline offer today. His recent training on the Esko Platesetters and sample tables enables him to support the many CTP setters installed in the NZ market today. Tracey Gemmell (Office Manager/Accounts)  Tracey looks after the administration side of Frontline Technologies and the majority of the day to day paperwork that we generate. This includes managing the accounts, both receivables and payables, banking reconciliation and stock control. Tracey brings to Frontline Technologies a wide range of experience in different industries, administration practices, and techniques. Tracey has been working with Frontline Technologies NZ Ltd since its beginning in 2007 and is the wife of staff member Craig Gemmell. |
