Durst Group has announced the restructure of its label and flexible packaging segment, revealing that its current segment manager Helmuth Munter will retire at the end of 2021 after more than 40 years with the company.
Munter will be succeeded by Thomas Macina, who will take on the new title of global sales manager of label and flexible packaging.
The native of South Tyrol comes from HP Indigo, where he was most recently labels business manager EMEA in Barcelona.
Macina’s career has spanned more than 15 years at HP and he is considered as an expert in digital printing technology.
Durst said he has been in his introductory phase at the Durst Group since February and will assume his role for the EMEA region in April. He will fully take on the responsibility for global sales of label and flexible packaging products in June.
Until his retirement, Munter is expected to continue to be involved in the transition and provide advice and support to the new management team, which also includes Martin Leitner as product manager.
Munter has been pivotal in the growth of Durst’s label and flexible packaging segment, which has, over the past ten years, developed into an important business unit of the business and, with the Tau RSC printing systems, made a “significant contribution” to the digital transformation in the industry.
Durst Group CRO Cristoph Gamper said Tau single-pass printing systems now have a market share of around 40 per cent of the UV inkjet market segment, with an installation base of more than 250 printing presses worldwide.
“We made good use of the situation in the COVID pandemic and arranged the succession for Helmuth Munter, who has been responsible for the success story in the label segment,” he said.
“All of us at the Durst Group would like to thank Helmuth for his great dedication, excellent performance, and loyalty. What could be better than retiring at the zenith of one’s career? We wish Helmuth all the best in this new phase of his life.”
“At the same time, I would like to warmly welcome Thomas Macina to the Durst family. We are delighted to have gained a real market expert for the company, and someone who also has his roots in South Tyrol.
“The current pandemic situation has also been favorable to us as it has given us sufficient time to ensure a smooth transition. I am convinced that Thomas will continue to drive the Tau success story together with the entire label team.”
Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman welcomed Macina to the role and wished Munter the best in his future endeavours.
“It’s such great news that Thomas has joined Durst – he has so much knowledge and experience of the label market globally,” Ashman said.
“As the label market shows an unstoppable level of growth, Durst is committed to match that with innovation and investment. However, its always sad to say goodbye to such an amazing man as Helmuth.
“I have known Helmuth for many years and I have to pay tribute to such dedication. He has worked for Durst for over 40 years and is a true gentleman and Durst’ler.”
