TORONTO—KBA North America has appointed Flex Essentials, Inc. as sales agent for its Flexotecnica line of CI Flexo presses. Headed up by Jim Waslowski, Flex Essentials  represents several flexo suppliers and claims extensive experience in flexible packaging.

In a bid to broaden its business base as orders for offset presses flatten,  KBA acquired the Flexotecnica presses last year. The new subsidiary, KBA-Flexotecnica, is an Italian press manufacturer specializing in presses for printing on film, paperboard and other substrates in the growing market for flexible packaging.

Waslowski will be responsible for developing and growing the Flexotecnica product line in Canada with a special emphasis on increasing its market share in paperboard and flexible packaging. He formed Flex Essentials 11 years ago. Prior to this position, he spent nearly 20 years in the plastics industry at Brampton Engineering starting in machine design and moving into the sales arena in which he ultimately held the position of vice president of sales.