Kento North America welcomes John Kelley: Innovation, leadership, and a lifetime in print
Kento Hybrid continues to grow in North America, and we’re thrilled to welcome industry veteran John Kelley as our new Managing Director for the region. With over 45 years of experience in corrugated packaging and a lifelong passion for high-graphics printing and converting, John brings both strategic insight and deep operational knowledge to support our customers.
We asked John and Kento CEO Javier Quesada to share their perspectives on this exciting new chapter.
John Kelley: A lifetime dedicated to print innovation
“I’ve been involved in the corrugated industry for over 45 years,” says John. “I was fortunate to participate in major innovations—like the first chambered doctor blade system and the first vacuum transfer system in rotary die cutting—decades ago. Since then, I’ve been fully committed to advancing the science of putting ink on corrugated board.”
John recalls printing a process image of a Florida orange directly on corrugated for the gift fruit industry some 35 years ago. “Even then, I saw high-graphics packaging as a differentiator,” he says. That passion for improving both quality and efficiency led him to discover Kento Hybrid.
“What attracted me to Kento is the genius of combining the best of analog and digital into one press,” John explains. “This is going to be one of the greatest innovations we’ve seen in our industry.”
As Managing Director, John’s priorities are clear: “I’m building a North American sales plan that aligns with the needs of converters ready to take their printing capability to the next level. My approach is consultative—I come from the floor, and I understand the challenges our customers face.”
He adds, “Installing a hybrid press is just the beginning. I’m here to help our clients identify opportunities that improve both operations and sales.”
Javier Quesada: Why North America matters
According to CEO Javier Quesada, North America is one of Kento’s most strategic markets. “Demand for high-quality printing continues to grow while production batch sizes shrink,” he explains. “The U.S. has more single-pass digital printers than any other country. Converters here are very open to innovation—and they’re ready for the hybrid transformation.”
Javier says Kento already has two machines installed in the U.S. and two more in production, including models featuring the newly developed 66-inch rotary die cutter, designed specifically for the North American standard.
“But adoption isn’t just about technology,” he notes. “It’s about understanding. That’s why appointing an experienced, respected leader like John Kelley is so important. John knows the market, the trends, and—most importantly—the people.”
Javier continues, “John has not only deep industry knowledge, but also strong values and a global mindset. He understands what’s happening in Europe and how it connects to North American trends. That makes him the ideal person to represent Kento and help us grow.”
The next chapter for Kento in the region
The immediate focus for Kento North America includes:
- Completing the first installations of hybrid presses with 66” rotary die cutters
- Strengthening after-sales support and technical service in the region
- Supporting converters seeking more efficient, flexible solutions for mid-size runs
John concludes, “What excites me most is bringing one of the most innovative solutions in our industry to life—and watching our partners succeed in the North American converting and corrugated packaging industry.”
Ready for a game-changer
Talk to John Kelley or any of our experts to learn how hybrid printing can change your business, and schedule a personalized online or on-site Kento Hybrid demo
Keep in touch by following our Kento Digital Printing company page on LinkedIn, and get the latest news about hybrid printing and our involvement in professional events and trade shows.