St. Louis, MO (Nov. 28, 2023) – Mark Andy, the world’s leading manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment with a specialty in the narrow web label industry, today announced Duane Pekar as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Pekar brings more than two decades of C-suite leadership experience and success across various industries, facilitating companies’ growth and evolution by architecting innovative strategic plans and leadership initiatives driving bottom-line impact.

Pekar’s latest role was as President and CEO of Trajus Building Products, where he steered the parent company – and its three subsidiaries, including multi-family interiors leader Republic Elite – through significant operational enhancements, resulting in a doubling of Trajus’ revenue. He held additional key leadership roles at Midstate Berkshire, FRAM Group, Honeywell, Carrier, and General Motors.

Jason Desai, the outgoing CEO of Mark Andy, expressed his gratitude for serving as CEO with an exceptional team and building relationships with valued customers. “The Board has laid out a leadership succession plan that best serves Mark Andy and our customers’ interests now and into the future. We are fully confident that Duane brings the vision and decades of experience needed to propel our company forward.” Desai will continue his involvement in Mark Andy as a member of the Board of Directors.

“Mark Andy is a true graphic and printing pioneer, and I’m thrilled to help steer this organization into the future,” says Pekar. “With its legacy in the flexographic and digital printing industry and a reputation for strong technical knowledge and customer-centric service, Mark Andy plays a leadership role in the converting industry, and I am eager to build on this legacy, spearheading innovations that will catalyze growth for our customers and business partners.”

Desai adds that bringing Pekar on board signifies Mark Andy’s pledge to pioneer innovation while fostering customer success. “Under Duane’s expert leadership, our company is poised to enter a new chapter of growth.”