Bernard Parker Announces Retirement

Apex has announced that Bernard Parker, Joint Managing Director of the company, has decided to retire from the business after a career in the printing industry spanning over 40 years.

Having recently turned 60 years of age, Bernard had been considering retirement for some time. He wishes to pursue other interests in his private life and, being a grandparent, would like to spend more time with his family.

Bernard was a founder member of Apex in the early 1990s when he joined Bob Usher and Terry Bratt to form an Equipment Sales Division to compliment the companys fast-growing service base. The initial service side of the business had been created by Bob and Terry in the late 1980s.

Bernards industry career had started in the late 1960s when he joined AM Multigraphics as a demonstrator for their famous Multilith 1250 single colour press. He subsequently became a full time regional salesman for that company. In 1974 he joined Itek Graphix Products in London, selling the companys range of direct image platemakers together with Itek badged Ryobi A3 presses. Further positions throughout the 1980s saw Bernard promoted to International Dealer Manager where he developed sales for Itek throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

It was the acquisition of Itek by AB Dick in the late 1980s which gave Bernard the motivation to join Bob and Terry at Apex where, with the benefit of his international contacts, the company was able to acquire an agency for Eskofot products, including their range of analogue platemakers. The failure of AM International in the 1990s gave Apex access to Eskofots DPX polyester computer-to-plate product. The introduction of this product provided Bernard and his team with a hugely successful period of sales, spanning over 16 years, with DPX sales eventually exceeding 500 units in the UK.

By early 2000 Apex had added the range of Screen metal platesetters to its portfolio, and in 2002 the failure of The Knight Organisation (trading as Ry-Offset) presented the directors of Apex with the opportunity of major expansion. Following prolonged negotiations, Apex were awarded the Ryobi agency for the UK and Ireland.

Commenting on Bernards decision to take a well-earned retirement, Bob Usher, fellow Joint Managing Director at Apex, said:"Bernard will be remembered by many in the industry for his steely grin, perfectly groomed hair, and manicured clothing. He loved nothing more than a hard day at a print exhibition, followed by a pint, a fine steak and a glass or two of red, in the company of his friends and colleagues.

"It has been a huge pleasure to work with Bernard and build a very well respected and successful business supplying equipment to the printing industry. On behalf of our customers and the staff at Apex I would like to wish him a long and happy retirement."