The manufacturer has appointed Richard Warnick to take responsibility for sales in the UK and Ireland for its newly formed KBA-Flexotecnica flexographic printing systems division.
Warnick’s appointment signals the creation of a UK-based sales and service network with direct contact to the Flexotecnica manufacturing facility in Tavazzano, near Milan, Italy.
KBA acquired Italian flexo press manufacturer Flexotecnica in 2013 and its equipment has up to now been available in the UK and Ireland through resellers.
The company said Warnick’s appointment reinforces its commitment to diversification into new markets such as glass printing, metal decoration and flexible packaging as well as its increased focus on digital printing and post press.
Warnick, who started in the role last month, has more than 20 years’ experience in print and packaging - in both production and sales roles - at companies including Operational UK, Eltromat UK, Field Packaging and Vymura.
KBA (UK) product and marketing manager Craig Bretherton said: “Flexotecnica service and sales in the UK will now be in tandem to our own sheetfed service, sales and support so we’ve taken Richard on along with additional service people to assist.
“When we were going through agents we were dealing with Italy and had longer response times so I think it’s now going to be more agile in that respect.”
Warnick added: “It is exciting to be joining the extended KBA family which has earned a reputation for excellence in customer support. KBA (UK) will be offering the whole package of sales, service, print performance and consumables.
“This will allow KBA-Flexotecnica to differentiate itself in the fiercely competitive food and flexible packaging markets.”
Separately, the business has strengthened its sheetfed sales team, to meet growing demand for its Rapida press range, by hiring Peter Banks.
Banks, who started in the role earlier this month, has worked in print for more than 30 years and has held senior positions at Presstek and Kodak. He takes responsibility for sheetfed press sales in Wales, the Midlands and Scotland.
The new appointment has allowed Bretherton to take over the new role of product and marketing manager while Mark Francis has taken responsibility for newly created areas in the North and North East of England.
Banks said: “KBA produces world class products that provide customers with a real competitive advantage. KBA presses and solutions deliver outstanding levels of innovation and productivity coupled with superb build quality and customer support. It's a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to 2016.”
Bretherton added Banks' knowledge and experience at a director level would enable him to approach hard to reach accounts, including printers that replace their equipment regularly but might not have dealt with KBA in the past.
Below: Peter Banks
