The 43-year-old Marcel Häsler will become Managing Director of the printing company Birkhäuser+GBC in Reinach on May 1, 2012, according to a press release from Basler Zeitung Medien. He succeeds Daniel Merkel, who is taking on a new challenge. The 43-year-old Marcel Häsler from Basel has been familiar with the graphic arts industry for over 26 years and has gained experience in various functions. Most recently, he managed Birkhäuser+GBC Special Products for five years and has been responsible for the sales organization and product development at Birkhäuser+GBC as Deputy Managing Director since 2009.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, this will enable the strategic and operational implementation of existing and upcoming investments to be optimized. Birkhäuser+GBC will increasingly focus on printing specialties. The focus will be on the pharmaceutical and retail sectors. It will also develop new digital media solutions in various other specialist areas.

The quintet affected will remain in the company with the same functions and the same salary, but will no longer sit on the Executive Board, as its Chairman Daniel Merkel told the SDA news agency when asked. This is therefore not a cost-cutting exercise, but rather a streamlining of the management structure that was created when two subsidiaries were merged two years ago. Merkel, Head of Marketing Marcel Häsler, Head of Production Thomas Rhein and Head of Human Resources Claudia Wahlen will remain from the previous management team. Marcus Herren, Head of Finance, who also oversees the BZM Group's finances, is a new addition.

The company is wholly owned by Basler Zeitung Medien. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Moritz Suter. With 330 employees, the company generates an annual turnover of 72 million Swiss francs. According to Merkel, business is currently going well; the company is also recruiting additional staff - provided it can find the specialists it is looking for.