Active Display CEO leaves

Deanne Hubball is departing from his role as CEO of Active Display Group, with the company citing a fall in its performance in the eyes of its board and parent company, marketing giant WPP AUNZ.

David Gittus, executive chairman, Active Display, is stepping in as interim CEO until the business elects a replacement for Hubball.

A number of roles across Active Display’s sites are also being made redundant including two sales staff from Victoria, one salesperson from Qld, another from the Dandenong South site in Melbourne and one Assembly employee.

Active Display says it is also planning to consolidate its four Victorian sites into three, with support from WPP, in an internal company memo sent to staff yesterday.

A spokesperson for WPP says, “While a search for a new CEO is underway, executive chairman, David Gittus will step into the role as interim CEO.  

“Gittus was a Director & CEO of Active Display Group for over 25 years and has remained closely involved with the business in his role as Executive Chairman.

[Related: Active installs Onset robot printing]

“An announcement about a new CEO will be made in due course.

“We can also confirm that a small number of staff have also left the business, however out of respect for those involved we will be making no further comment.”

ProPrint contacted Active Display for comment.

In the memo, Active Display says due to its new Fujifilm Inca Onset X series UV flatbed printers performing more quickly and less expensively, it will be decommission all its screen print, screen-making and screen washing equipment over the next few months. The Inca presses were installed earlier this year.

Active Display says the change will clear the entire rear factory at its Mulgrave print production site, allowing it to relocate its box mounting and display business Boxlink into the space from its warehouse and distribution facility in Dandenong South.

The company is also relocating pallets from its Chelsea Heights warehouse in Melbourne into its Dandenong South building, which is being extended. Other inventory from the Chelsea is planned to be dumped, leaving the building empty.

The memo from Active Display says the retail sector is facing challenges, with some of the company’s largest customers, reducing their orders. It also cites pressure caused by reduced pricing from competitors.

Active Display is hosting consultations with its employees in Melbourne and Sydney this week.