Paul Caprio, who stepped down as president of Krauss-Maffei Corp. in mid-2019, has resurfaced as president of Engel Machinery Inc. in York, Pa.
Engel announced Jan. 2 that Caprio joined the company. Caprio is managing the sales and service subsidiary of the North American operation of Austria-based injection molding machinery maker Engel Holding GmbH together with current CEO Mark Sankovitch. They will work together for the next two years, as Sankovitch plans retire at the end of 2021, the announcement said.
Sankovitch was named Engel Machinery's president and CEO in 2010. He will continue to have a leading role as CEO of Engel's North American business until he retires, as he previously had planned.
Caprio, 57, said he knew Sankovitch in the close-knit world of plastics machinery, he knew about his retirement plans, and contacted Engel about the position.
Caprio said he is looking forward to working with Sankovitch.
"He and I will work very well together. It's not a competition. It's a partnership," Caprio said. "I think it's going to be a smooth transition."
Christoph Steger, chief sales officer for the global operation, said Caprio will be a good addition to the team.
"He brings extensive experience that will only add to our successful team," Steger said.
Caprio had worked at Krauss-Maffei for 25 years — the last 10 years as president — before he left the company in Florence, Ky., last June. He and his wife, Teresa, moved to the York area in November, he said in a telephone interview.
"I am excited to be working for Engel, a company that is known for its overall leadership position and cutting-edge technical advancements in in the global machinery market," Caprio said. "I am also incredibly impressed with the knowledge of the global management team as it pertains to customers and the day-to-day challenges they face in the marketplace."
Steger said the North American operation is in good hands during the transition of top management.
"It is a privilege to have two industry experts like Mark Sankovitch and Paul Caprio work together for two years," Steger said. "We can therefore guarantee a high degree of continuity for both employees and customers in North America."
Caprio said he is impressed with the level of hands-on involvement at the family-owned Engel, based in Schwertberg, Austria. That includes employing two veteran machinery executives in place for two years during the transition in North America, he said.
"It really shows tremendous planning for the company. Very well thought out," he said.