What is the Technical Solutions Group?
We formed our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) to encompass our full range of expertise in all critical areas of the flexo process. This team is made up of industry professionals dedicated to being up to date on new technologies, armed with the last in diagnostic tools, and experienced in problem-solving that can achieve sustainable results. All of the TSG team members are FIRST Level III certified.
Who are We?
Tim Reece - VP of Technical Service – Tim has 40 years experience in narrow to wide-web flexo. He joined APR 24 years ago with his primary focus being on technical solutions and has managed the TSG for the past six years, and serves on APR's Executive Leadership Team. Tim has conducted training programs, from basic to advanced, including press operator certifications, mounting, platemaking, and pressroom optimization, and FlexSys™ simulator training. In 2002 he was certified as an "Expert Level Press Operator" by the NCSS (National Council for Skill Standards) in Graphic Communication. Tim's area of expertise is flexographic workflow, process optimization, employee/SOP assessment, photopolymer performance and optimization, and sustainability. He has chaired and presented serval times at the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) Forum and Fall Sessions, along with TLMI annual meetings. Tim served eight years as a judge for the FTA's Excellence in Flexography Awards before becoming an Awards Committee Member. After 40 years of service to the industry, his passion remains to serve APR's customers and support his teammates.
Catherine Haynes - VP of Growth and Development - Over 25 years of experience in the printing industry including Offset Lithography, Gravure, and Flexographic printing. Catherine has held positions in nearly all phases of the flexo printing process, including a technician and training developer for Clemson University's Corrugated Program, a mid-web F&K press operator, laminator operator, pressroom manager, graphic coordinator, and manager for a flexo plant. Currently, a qualified G7® Expert with IDEAlliance for more than eight years and is certified as an "Expert Level Press Operator" by the NCSS (National Council for Skill Standards) in Graphic Communication. Regular speaker for Clemson University's ECG seminars as well as other seminars. She graduated with honors from Clemson's Graphic Arts program. She has been a speaker for FTA, TLMI, and other industry organizations, a session and forum chairperson for the FTA Forums, and a judge for FTA's annual printing awards. The Director of Training has conducted numerous training programs, from basic to advanced, on various aspects of flexo printing, including press operator certifications and FlexSys™ simulator training and customized [continuous] training curriculums for Flexo printers.
Allen Sanders - VP Business Development - After graduating from Clemson University with a Masters Degree in Graphic Communications, Allen began his career in the packaging world. With over 25 years of experience in the printing industry, including Screen Printing, UV Rotary Letterpress, Offset Lithography, Narrow Web Digital, and Flexographic printing. He has held positions in prepress, press operator, production manager, and technical sales support. For the last 16 years, he has focused on supporting customers' prepress needs with hardware/software and flexographic platemaking.
CJ Marriner - TSG Equipment Manager – Has over 20 years experience in flexographic printing industry. CJ joined APR 16 years ago, with his primary focus being on equipment development, installations, and services. CJ is Level III FIRST Certified Implementation Specialist. His specialty areas include flexographic equipment services and maintenance, RFID inventory management, photopolymer platemaking, and plate mounting.
John Williams - Senior Equipment Service Technician - John has been in the field of maintenance for over 30 years. He started his studies at Dekalb Tech. Where he began building his skill set in the maintenance field. His desire to provide quality and reliable service has been nurtured to become his greatest strength. John brings his technical background and abilities to serve our customers when they are challenged with printability, throughput, and sustainability goals. His aptitude for machinery and extensive maintenance knowledge makes him an essential part of the team.
Dan Muthig - Technical Sales Representative - Dan has over 34 years of experience in Flexographic printing. Experience includes press operator, customer service, plate making, prepress technician, and prepress manager. Also has 20+ years of experience running supplier printing trials and conducting training seminars for wide web, narrow web, and corrugated printing. Dan has served as a session chairperson for the FTA forum and a judge for FTA's annual printing awards.
Corey Parker - Service Engineer - Corey joins APR with over 3 years of experience in the corrugated and packaging industries. He is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Corey’s previous areas of focus were in optimization engineering, industrial maintenance, electrical infrastructure, and project management. As a Service Engineer, Corey is building on APR’s high standards of service to provide customers with optimized processes and engineered solutions.
Why APR's Technical Solutions Group?
- Our focus and years of experience in assessment, diagnostic services, and training for the flexographic package printing industry allows us to enhance our clients' team.
- Our full range of technical services assist you in identifying existing production conditions and developing cost-effective solutions.
- Our understanding of both industry "pains" and business requirements allow us to assess and develop opportunities for improvement faster and more cost-effectively.
- We are the industry leaders in utilizing innovation and state-of-the-art technology to be more effective over the long term.
- We deliver analysis and perspective that can be built into a definable and measurable plan for process improvement.
- We deliver this plan in pre-defined time frames and within budgetary constraints to achieve sustainable results.