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With a rich and diverse career in packaging and printing, my journey began as a Packaging Technologist/Engineer at CO-OP in Manchester. I had the unique opportunity to work across a range of manufacturing facilities, gaining hands-on experience with materials like cans, glass, plastics, paper, and board. This early foundation laid the groundwork for my deep understanding of the industry.
Transitioning into roles in buying and marketing, I expanded my skill set and perspective. In 1984, I took on the role of Head of Packaging and Technical at the retailer Iceland, where I played a pivotal role in launching and establishing the Iceland brand. This experience ignited my passion for the intricate relationship between product and packaging.
As my career progressed, I ventured into the realm of product launch systems, collaborating with renowned brands such as Danone, Heinz, Estée Lauder, Kraft, and others. This involved overseeing design, artwork, and pre-press companies, where I witnessed first-hand the power of effective packaging in capturing consumer attention.
Returning to the retailer Iceland in 2013 as the Own Label Manager, I led initiatives across a network of 1000 stores in 42 countries. One of the highlights of my career was spearheading Iceland's commitment in 2018 to become plastic-free by 2023, a move that underscored the growing importance of sustainability in the industry.
Maura works as Strategic Account manager for HP Pagewide Packaging team.
After seven years in Service management for HP Indigo and HP Pagewide Commercial Strategic Accounts, with the opening of Pagewide technology to packaging, Maura discovered her new passion: Packaging! Working close to customers as a team, in a real production environment gave her the opportunity to express her skills and background in Production manufacturing technology.
Managing the introduction of digital print into analog based corrugated factories is the pillar of Maura’s expertise. Using a consultancy based approach, Maura’s mission is to add value to packaging companies who wants to develop their digital strategies and to strengthen their competitiveness and role in a rapidly evolving and consolidating market.
Over the past few years Maura managed the end to end projects of three over 20 Million Dollars investment presses both from sales and service perspective: today these deployments are used as the showcase of HP technology for any HP customer and prospect worldwide for HP T serie webpresses.
Maura lives close to Milan in Italy with her partner, her daughter and her son who are both at University. She loves spending time with her family, playing Ato Sax in the local philharmonic society and skiing, hiking and motorbike rides with her partner.
Robert Stabler is the Managing Director of Koenig & Bauer Durst, the JV between Koenig & Bauer and Durst based in Germany and targeting the single pass corrugated and folding carton packaging markets utilizing the complimentary core competencies of both companies.
Stabler has a long and successful international career in digital printing at Xerox, where he was responsible for the Graphic Business Group and at HP, where he was responsible for the Production InkJet business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
He has a keen interest in technology tipping points and how the interplay of different technologies can have far-reaching and often unpredictable consequences.
Sean Smyth has spent over 25 years in the industry in senior technology positions for a variety of print businesses across the supply chain, in hands on and consultancy roles. He helps companies make money through the appropriate use of technology.
Sean has a deep knowledge of the global print market, and a key member of the team providing quantitative market data and forecasts for the printing, paper and packaging industry. He authors off-the-shelf market studies and provides strategic consultancy services to a range of clients across the value chain.
Sean has a strong background in appropriate application of technology to print, implementing digital print systems, MIS and workflows to take time and cost out of the print supply chain. In 1994 he became Technical Director of Rexam, where the first colour digital presses in the UK were installed and he has extensive experience of digital printing. He has written many books and market studies on the future, print technology and digital print, including Smithers' flagship title "The Print & Production Manual" and the "Future of Global Print Markets".
Alvise Cavallari has nearly 20 years of experience in the machine industry, where he has gained extensive expertise and insights into packaging printing. He then moved to the brand owner side, and his career highlights include leading the corporate programmes at Nestlé R&D on digital printing, coding, and technical anti-counterfeiting. He has also supplied valuable assistance to multiple companies in these areas, helping them navigate the evolving landscape of digital printing and anti-counterfeiting, and is now product manager at Atlantic Zeiser for CPG printing. Alvise's profound industry knowledge and dedication to driving innovation position him as a leading expert in the future of packaging technologies.
As a member of the Esko corporate marketing team, Jan De Roeck (°1966) leads a team of marketeers developing outbound messaging and content, manages industry relationships and coordinates market research activities.
With his parents running a local print business, Jan was literally raised amidst ink, paper and printing presses. He holds a bachelor degree in printing and pre-press, and a specialization in graphic design. He complemented his graphic arts education with an Advanced Management Program at the Ghent-Leuven Vlerick Business School in 2007.
Jan began his career in 1989 in the customer services department at Barco, a Belgian technology group at the basis of what Esko is today. Through various product management and product marketing assignments, Jan developed a particular interest, acumen and expertise in prepress solutions for packaging and label production. Jan is highly respected and trusted for his insight in the graphic arts industry and his level of understanding of customer workflows and market requirements. He is a frequently asked speaker and moderator at various international industry events and trade conferences and represents Esko in various trade associations.
Bio to follow.
