Esko appoints Mattias Byström as new president

Byström brings with him over 20 years of general management experience. Most recently he was CEO of FlexLink, a global US$300 million factory automation specialist with headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. Byström has eight years of prior Danaher experience in different leadership roles in what was then known as Danaher Motion. This included the automated guided vehicle business, primarily a software systems enterprise. Earlier in his career, Byström co-founded and led two digital start-ups.

Joakim Weidemanis, executive vice president of Danaher, Esko’s parent company, said: ‘With his unique management and technology background, Mattias is ideally suited to lead Esko now. I am very happy to welcome him back to Danaher and excited to place him at the head of this important business that is simplifying the packaging value chain.’

Byström said: ‘Esko has incredible potential because digitization, automation and connectivity have gained momentum in the packaging industry in the past few years. It is my priority to ensure that Esko delivers stronger innovation that is increasingly valuable to our customers.’

Byström succeeds Udo Panenka, who is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.

Weidemanis said: ‘We thank Udo for his excellent service to Danaher over the past 10 years, including leading Esko since 2015. Under Udo’s leadership, Esko repositioned the flexo plate production business through innovation and moved to a new site in Itzehoe. Udo also built up Esko’s business serving brand owners, including the acquisitions of MediaBeacon and Blue, and initiated Esko’s software migration to software-as-a-service (SaaS).’