Johns’ farewell gathering at the elegant waterfront venue of Hammerheads was not the last that the country will see of the former general manager of Coates’ New Zealand operation.

In his new role as web director, Johns will take responsibility for web operations in New Zealand, as well as Australia and Southeast Asia. He will be based in Sydney.

Johns’ performance in New Zealand was outstanding. Under his stewardship, Coates New Zealand became one of the most profitable operations in the Asia / Pacific region.

In the last few years, the company’s revenue base has grown by around 50 per cent, including the addition of some particularly important contracts.

Johns is modest about his achievements: “It was a matter of putting a plan in place, then going ahead and doing it,” he says.

He has spent more than three decades in the printing business, almost half of which has been with Coates.

Carl Pagano, who was based in Coates’ Sydney office, in charge of web business for Australia and New Zealand, will be shifting to Perth. There he will take up the reins as state manager for Western Australia. He will also act as web export manager.

Johns’ replacement in New Zealand will be Steven Parker, who currently holds the position of technical director for liquid inks in Europe. It won’t be Parker’s first time in New Zealand, however. He spent several years here as technical manager of Coates New Zealand during the 80s.

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