LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses has announced the appointment of Richard Cochran as Project Manager. In this newly created position, Cochran will be responsible for facilitating the most advantageous match between customer needs and Mitsubishi Diamond Series sheetfed presses, the company said. Cochran's priority will be to maximize sales potential through the effective utilization of customer service resources, from the time an order is placed through installation of the press, complete with auxiliary systems. His efforts will focus primarily on customers who purchase more specialized technology, such as large-format presses, perfectors and ultraviolet curing systems. He reports directly to Marke Baker, director of customer service. Cochran brings a wealth of experience and mechanical knowledge of printing presses to his position. Prior to joining Mitsubishi, he spent a total of 12 years at Fort Dearborn Co., at the label printer's Niles, Ill., and Lake Forest, Ill., locations. He started as a press mechanic and later was promoted to maintenance manager, serving most recently at the Niles facility. Before that, he was a press mechanic at Field Container Co. in Elk Grove, Ill. Cochran began his career in 1979 at Warren Manufacturing, a Milwaukee-based company that rebuilt printing presses. Mitsubishi Diamond Series sheetfed presses are available in a range of sizes - from the 28-inch Diamond 1000 Series to the 56-inch Diamond 6000 Series - and configurations up to 12 printing units. Fast job makeready, ease of operation and high throughput are hallmarks of the Diamond Series. Mitsubishi is at the forefront of the implementation of the Job Definition Format specification, and is working with other vendors toward full integration of Mitsubishi presses into a JDF-compliant workflow. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A. Inc.) markets multicolor sheetfed and web lithographic presses manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MLP U.S.A. provides complete sales, parts and service for the entire line of Mitsubishi presses. For more information, contact MLP U.S.A. at (847) 634-9100. Information also can be obtained by visiting the company's website at www.mlpusa.com.