Date
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Time
11:00 a.m EST
Location
Virtual Event
Price
Member: Free
Non-Member: $99.00
How to Buy a Flexo Press
Purchasing a flexographic press is one of the most significant capital investments a printer or converter can make. For first-time buyers, the process can feel complex, lengthy and full of unknowns. Even experienced buyers may encounter new challenges as technology, market demands, tariffs, supply chain pressures and facility requirements continue to evolve. This panel style conversation will host an open discussion to bring together flexographic press manufacturers walking attendees through the full press-buying journey—from identifying business needs and defining specifications to comparing options, preparing the plant, managing timelines, installation, training and post-sale support. Panelists will also discuss common pitfalls, uncomfortable realities, external factors that can affect cost or delivery, and practical questions every buyer should ask before making a major capital equipment decision. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what to expect, how to prepare internally and how to approach the process with greater confidence.
Speakers
Carles Rodriguez
Industrial Engineer with an Executive MBA and a Postgraduate degree in Environmental Engineering, Carles has built a distinguished 14-year career at Comexi, a global leader with over 70 years in CI Flexo and the world’s second-largest supplier of laminating and slitting equipment. Following an initial phase at Philips Royal Electronics and various engineering firms, he joined Comexi, where he has held key roles including Sales Engineer, Brand Manager, New Business Development Director, Vice President of Comexi North America and for the last three years as Global Printing Director, leading the division’s international strategy and innovation.
Jason Cagle
With over a decade in the printing and packaging industry, Jason has built a career at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and customer relationships. He transitioned from a technical role at Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute to sales leadership at MacDermid, where he served as Director of Sales for North America. Now, as Director of Sales – Printing at W&H, Jason leads the Flexo, Rotogravure, and Digital Printing Presses business across North America, driving market strategy, customer engagement, and business growth. An active industry leader, he received the FTA President’s Award in 2018 and served as Forum Chair for the FTA FORUM in 2023 and 2024. He frequently speaks at conferences across the Americas on automation, sustainability, and the future of flexible packaging.
Rodney Pennings
Rodney Pennings serves as the Strategic Accounts & Technical Sales Leader - Americas at BW Converting, where he leads sales and service initiatives for the company’s printing, bag converting, and mail industry technologies. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Rodney brings more than three decades of experience in the converting and printing industry, combining deep technical expertise with a strong customer-focused approach. Throughout his tenure, Rodneyhas held a variety of leadership positions, including Controls Engineer, Engineering Leader, Value Stream Leader, and Sales Director. His broad industry knowledge and hands-on experience enable him to help converters improve operational efficiency, quality, sustainability, and overall production performance. Rodney is also a strong advocate for industry education and innovation. He plays an active role in advancing customer training, technology demonstrations, and collaborative initiatives through BW Converting’s Packaging Innovation Center, helping converters evaluate emerging technologies and optimize flexible packaging workflows. His commitment to practical problem-solving and customer success has made him a trusted resource within the global packaging and converting community.
Kenny Tucker
Kenny serves as the Director of Technical Education at the Flexographic Technical Association. Previously, he held the position of Assistant Director at Clemson University's Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics. A 2004 graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Communications, Kenny began his career at Sealed Air Corporation, where he worked across various roles, including prepress, color management, inkjet and remote proofing, workflow automation, expanded gamut printing, press characterizations, and managing graphic technologies. He later joined Anderson & Vreeland as a Technology Specialist, focusing on the installation of plate-making equipment, RIP software, and inkjet proofing solutions. Before working for Clemson, Kenny worked as Production Manager at Frontier Label, now Sttark Labels, overseeing inventory procurement, label production, project management, and maintenance operations. In 2019, he returned to Clemson University, coordinating industry-focused projects, seminars, research initiatives, and training workshops. In his free time, Kenny enjoys fishing, camping, and spending quality time with his family.
