THOMPSON EYES EUROPEAN EXPANSION

Thompson, the friction welding specialist, has appointed Colin Nicholls as its new European sales manager to head up the company’s drive to win more business on the Continent.

Colin brings 30 years’ sales experience to his new role which included a 17-year spell with the former Willenhall-based machine tool manufacturer Addison. Prior to joining Thompson, he was export sales director at UKae, an established manufacturer of engineered profiles for the glazing and construction industry.

He will be responsible for developing sales of Thompson friction welding machines throughout Europe, especially in new target markets such as Russia, Hungary and Poland. Colin, who lives in Birmingham and speaks several languages including French and Spanish, has succeeded long-serving sales manager Lawrence Darby, who continues to work for the company as a consultant.

“I’m not only looking forward to the challenge of a new sales role, but also delighted to join a successful manufacturer that still makes machines in the UK using the best of British engineering skills and expertise,” he said