EFI APAC has hired Paul Sanelli as its packaging and display business development manager as the company looks to build on its packaging business in the region.

Melbourne-based Sanelli, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in graphic communications, will drive business development activities for EFI with its customers in the packaging space across APAC, while working closely with EFI’s territory sales managers.

“I am excited about the digital growth happening in the packaging industry and about EFI’s culture and innovative technology, its focus in helping customers discover the opportunities and the commercial benefits that can be realised through digital printing,” Sanelli said.

“From stripping films and washing down a proofing press in my early days, I have seen many step-changes and transitions to digital workflow and production. Observing the early adopters through to dedicated and digital-only operations has given me a sense of what works, and some of the potential challenges’ companies have had to work through when using their current conventional go-to-market strategy.”

Sanelli has been involved in the graphic-arts industry his entire working life, with humble beginnings in pre-press before moving into consultative solutions selling for some of the print industry’s leading suppliers prior to joining EFI.

“EFI has become such a relevant supplier to the packaging market through its e-Commerce, workflow, production scheduling, plant management, ERP solutions and printing and converting offerings. I am a believer that one size doesn’t fit all and, therefore, our goal is to focus on our customers’ success by providing them a customised solution tailored for their business needs,” Sanelli said.

EFI Asia-Pacific vice-president of sales, Rodd Harrison said, “I am very pleased to have Paul join our team at EFI. He comes with a wealth of knowledge not just in packaging, but also in digital printing in general, and has a proven track record of project management in complex sales processes. He is well-respected in the industry for his experience and his approach and is a great addition to our growing team.

Paul coming on board reinforces our commitment to packaging in general, the importance of the APAC region as a whole and A/NZ specifically to our business, and to build a great team of people to service our customers and the industry through innovation.”