TORONTO—After 14 years at the helm of Heidelberg Canada, Richard Armstrong is leaving his post at the end of March.

"It's time. I've had a really good run," he told PrintCAN, "I'm going to take some time to relax. I have no plans right now."

Armstrong, who joined Heidelberg 18 years ago as vice president of customer service, has spent about 30 years in the printing industry.  Asked about his accomplishments during his tenure as president, he points to his efforts at Ryerson University, were he was instrumental in helping to build a permanent home for the School of Graphic Communications Management. He worked closely with Mary Black, then chair of the department. He also pointed to the creation of a robust Canadian consumables business through the acquisition and integration of three companies. 

The biggest challenges, he says, have been the steep economic ups and downs, particularly in the aftermath of the attacks in New York City on September 2011, when business slammed on the brakes, and the downturn of 2008-2009.

But, despite the turmoil, he says he leaves feeling optimistic about the prospects of this industry."The industry has evolved, and not in a bad way. We're not seeing the catalogs, brochures and annual reports anymore. But now we're seeing printing on unique materials, UV, and specialty packaging. Molded plastic containers are printed sheetfed today. That work was not there 10 to 15 years ago."

He's seeing more customers who have large fulfillment operations, web development services, wide-format and digital printing," he said. "The industry has changed and evolved and it keeps changing. You need to get your head around it and focus on continuous re-invention."

There is no word yet on his replacement.