Kento North America Welcomes John Kelley: Innovation, Leadership, and a Lifetime in Print
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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.
John and Kento CEO Javier Quesada were asked 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.”
