Heidelberg USA has appointed Chris Raney to vice president of product management for its postpress commercial and packaging division. Raney comes on board after Jörg Dähnhardt, who held this role previously, was promoted to worldwide head of postpress products and markets for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in Wiesloch, Germany.

With over 25 years of global print industry experience, Raney worked for Heidelberg previously – serving as vice president of postpress packaging in the US from 2011-2015. From 2015, Raney acted as president of Baumer hhs in the US and Canada.

In his new role, Raney is responsible for US sales of Heidelberg’s extensive postpress commercial and postpress packaging portfolio, which includes Stahlfolders, Polar cutters, and MK diecutters and folder-gluers.

Raney reports directly to Felix Mueller, president of Heidelberg Americas, who says, “We are excited for Jörg’s opportunity to return to Germany and expand his role on the global level. At the same time, we are very happy to have Chris rejoin Heidelberg. With his extensive industry knowledge and previous experience with Heidelberg, there is no doubt he will hit the ground running – ready to support our customers and team.”

Dähnhardt, who has worked with Heidelberg both in the US and Germany, started his new role on January 1.

According to Dähnhardt, “It is bittersweet leaving the US after 20 years, but I am excited to help grow Heidelberg’s postpress products worldwide. Chris is the perfect fit to take over my former role, and I am confident that he will do a great job supporting our sales team and customers in the US.”

Raney adds, “Jörg was able to successfully grow the postpress and packaging business in the US every year he was in this role. I am eager to pick up where he left off and continue the great success of this dynamic product range.”