Baker Perkins companies in the UK and USA have new managing directors. Dan Smith has responsibility for the USA operation in Grand Rapids/Michigan, Dan Bassett for the UK company based in Peterborough. Geoff Hawley is replacing Dan Bassett as director of food capital sales.

Dan Bassett joined Baker Perkins as a graduate trainee in 1990. In 2013, he became director of capital sales for all food sectors. Dan Smith became assistant manager of field service at Grand Rapids in 1995. Since 2006, he has been general manager.

The appointments follow the decision of company owner John Cowx to relinquish his role as managing director: he continues as chairman. Baker Perkins provides advanced process technology and services to the bread, biscuit, confectionery, ready-to-eat cereal, snack and food extrusion sectors. Baker Perkins equipment manufacture utilises the latest engineering and control technologies to maximize performance from automatic plants and unit machines that are easy to operate, clean and maintain. The company’s strength lies in its process expertise, engineering excellence and extensive service philosophy, extending from design and manufacture through installation and commissioning to Lifetime Support.