GEW ushers in next-generation leadership with key executive shifts

UK – UK-based UV curing systems manufacturer GEW has revealed significant updates to its senior management team at its West Sussex headquarters. 

The adjustments signal a handover of responsibilities to the company’s second generation in the family-owned enterprise.

Rob Rae now serves as managing director of the global GEW operations and president of GEW Inc. in North Royalton, Ohio, USA. 

He maintains oversight of sales, marketing, and research and development activities. 

Ele Neill, formerly Rae, steps into the role of company secretary and global HR director, while also taking charge of all financial operations.

Both leaders bring 13 years of hands-on involvement at GEW. Rae has worked across the full spectrum of the company’s products and applied methodical approaches in R&D, which led to the creation of the AeroLED and LeoLED LED curing systems. 

These innovations have supported consistent sales expansion in markets worldwide, including packaging and printing sectors. 

Neill offers broad knowledge from various business functions. Her efforts have driven recruitment of skilled staff globally. She noted that long-term growth depends on the team’s capabilities.

Founders and owners Malcolm and Gillian Rae remain executive directors, offering ongoing counsel as needed. In a statement, Rob Rae said, “The time is right for these changes.” 

He explained that the company’s solid standing allows his parents to shift toward advisory roles. The firm has developed a distinctive lineup of products, with several new ones in the pipeline.

These shifts come amid rising demand for energy-efficient UV technologies in sustainable packaging. 

According to a recent market analysis, the UV LED curing sector is set to expand at a 13% compound annual growth rate through 2032, reaching billions in value. 

This surge ties to stricter safety rules and preferences for eco-friendly materials that cut waste and emissions.

GEW’s systems play a direct role in this trend. For instance, the AeroLED2 and LeoLED2 models deliver higher UV output and power efficiency than earlier versions, aiding converters in producing low-migration coatings for food-safe labels. 

Earlier this year at Labelexpo Europe 2025, GEW introduced OxyGuard, an oxygen management tool that optimizes atmospheres for odor-free curing in high-performance packaging. 

DoseGuard complements it by monitoring UV delivery across production widths, alerting operators to variations for consistent quality.

A US label printer, Meyers, recently installed GEW’s UV LED setups on three lines at its Minnesota plant. 

The retrofit cuts energy use and carbon emissions while enabling hybrid operation with traditional UV arc for versatile jobs. 

Chief operating officer Dave McConnon stated that the cartridge design allows seamless switches between modes, supporting faster runs on flexible substrates.

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