Admir Dobraca is the new CEO of Kautex Machines Inc. in Branchburg, N.J., the U.S. operation of German blow molding machinery maker Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH.
Dobraca succeeds Bill Farrant, who retired from the executive post at Kautex after a decade leading the company. Farrant said he is relocating back to the United Kingdom, with plans to take a position for Kautex in Europe. Nothing has been finalized yet, he said.
Dobraca has experience in packaging and machinery. Most recently he worked at Retal PA LLC, where he helped the plastics packaging producer start its first U.S. plant.
He began his career at Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. in 2002, holding positions in the United States and Europe, until 2016.
With Dobraca in the top post, Kautex Machines aims to strengthen its market position in the North American packaging segment and expand into new markets, company officials said.
"Admir brings a lot of experience from the plastics industry and is a complete specialist in the packaging sector," Kautex Maschinenbau CEO Thomas Hartkämper said. "He has a clear vision of how we can strengthen and expand our position in the North American market."
Andreas Lichtenauer, chief sales officer, praised Farrant for his years of leadership. "We appreciate his profound knowledge of the industry, gained over many years, and are pleased with his achievements," Lichtenauer said.
Dobraca started at the post in February.