Harper Corporation of America Receives New ISO 9001:2015 Certification

 Charlotte, North Carolina, April 17, 2018—Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America has announced that it has achieved certification to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, reflecting the organization’s long-term commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction. The certification is valid for three years and is provided by DNV GL – Business Assurance.   

ISO 9001 is the most widely used quality management standard, and has recently undergone a periodic update to better reflect modern business challenges. Last modified in 2008, the new 2015 version of ISO 9001 is the result of input from business and technical experts around the world. The program requires greater involvement of senior management, broader understanding of supply chains, and more focus on stakeholder (not just customer) expectations. By obtaining the certification, the company has confirmed its dedication to quality in its manufacturing and distribution processes.

In accepting the ISO registration certificate, Harper Corporate Quality Assurance Manager Ben Carter said, “We are extremely proud of our commitment to quality.” “Our ISO certification helps us continually move forward and, equally important, allows us to publicly communicate our dedication to excellence. It’s a symbol that everyone – our employees, our partners, our customers – recognizes and values.”
 
President Lee Kluttz adds, “We consider it an honor to be worthy of a place along with the superior performing companies who have ISO certification. This certification confirms our customers’ trust in us and validates Harper’s dedication to excellence in our manufacturing processes. We are pleased to be among first anilox manufacturers compliant to the latest ISO standard.”

 

About Harper Corporation of America
Harper is the leading innovator in anilox roll production and restoration for corrugated, wide web, narrow web and newspaper flexographic printing markets worldwide with manufacturing facilities in Charlotte, NC and Green Bay, WI.

 

About DNV GL – Business Assurance
DNV GL – Business Assurance is part of the DNV GL Group, a world-leading certification body helping businesses assure the performance of their organizations, products, people, facilities and supply chains through certification, verification, assessment, and training services. For more information about DNV GL – Business Assurance, visit http://www.dnvglcert.com.

 

For more information, please contact Jazmin Siancas at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jsiancas@harperimage.com.

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Harper Corporation of America Welcomes Patrick Hogan and Bill Ruttan

Charlotte, North Carolina, February 23, 2016—Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America is proud to announce that Patrick Hogan and Bill Ruttan have joined the Harper team and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company and its customers.

Hogan is serving as Technical Graphics Advisor for the Midwest Region. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt with extensive knowledge of flexographic and rotogravure print processes and expertise in graphic arts. He is also an IDEAlliance Certified Color Management Professional. Hogan is adept at using his robust troubleshooting and technical abilities to deliver successful outcomes and have a proven track record of identifying and implementing process improvements and ensuring customer satisfaction.  He is a strategic thinker, relationship builder, team member, and mentor who will be a valuable addition to the team. Prior to joining Harper, Hogan served as Print Services Manager for Bemis, an industry leader in flexible packaging.

Ruttan has joined Harper as Southeast Technical Graphics Advisor. He brings with him 29 years of experience in the industry ranging from press operation to graphics manager for a high profile folding carton plant. He is a flexo and offset printing professional with extensive practical experience in wide web folding carton production. Ruttan manages through positive leadership and has a passion for the printing industry and driving results as a process change agent. His expertise includes Pre-Press Manager, Graphics Manager, Printing SME – wide web flexo folding carton and web offset, Extended Color Gamut (ECG) printing expert, process improvement and innovation, diversified flexographic printing experience, Lean manufacturing and management through multiple Kaizen events, and Positive Management Leadership (PML) training. Ruttan was a company leadership award winner in 2007 and 2014. Prior to joining Harper, Ruttan served as Pre-Press/Graphics Manager for Graphic Packaging, an industry leader in folding carton.

Harper Corporation of America is confident that Hogan and Ruttan will be strong assets to the company and uphold its commitment to providing exceptional products, service, and support to customers. 

For more information, please contact Jazmin Siancas at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jsiancas@harperimage.com. 

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New Long-Life Plastic-Handled Brushes Now Available From HarperScientificâ„¢

Charlotte, N.C., March 3, 2010 – HarperScientific™, the printing and coating supplies division of global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America, has developed a practical solution to premature breakage of wood-handled pressroom brushes: longer-life plastic handles.

Anilox roll scrub brushes are among the most frequently used tools in a press operator’s tool kit. But traditional brushes are made with wooden handles that are prone to swelling and early breaking if left in water for long periods and not thoroughly dried.

HarperScientific™ Duro-Brush anilox cleaning brushes are designed with tapered,   extended life plastic handles that resist the impact of water and pressroom chemicals. Their  bristles provide improved agitation of dried ink in cell bottoms.

New brushes with stainless steel bristles are recommended for cleaning only ceramic anilox rollers. Brushes with brass bristles work best on chrome anilox rollers.

“Our plastic handled brushes offer the anilox market a cleaning solution that is better than the status quo in performance, service life and cost effectiveness and in a small way helps move the anilox industry forward,” said Tony Donato, Product Development Engineer at Harper.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

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Harper Corporation to Receive ATEA’s Silver Star Award

Charlotte, N.C., February 19, 2008 – The American Technical Education Association (ATEA) recently announced that Ron and Katherine Harper, founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, will receive the association’s Silver Star Award at the ATEA’s 45th National Conference on Technical Education this spring in Biloxi, Mississippi.

This award is presented jointly by the American Technical Education Association and the National Technical Honor Society each year to recognize exceptional support and commitment to advancing postsecondary technical education.

Rich Wagner, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota, nominated Mr. and Mrs. Harper for the award.

The Harpers are legendary in the flexography industry for their philanthropy in flexo education. It began in 1990, when the couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and with the donation of their time, attention and funding, they paved the way to establish a flexographic printing program at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C. Since then, they have been instrumental in setting up educational programs at other area schools. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina have vocational programs based on the ones the Harpers helped initiate.

Recognizing the Internet’s potential to reach further on behalf of the educational community, last year the Harpers became the founding sponsors of the Flexographic Technical Association’s TEST (Technical Education Services Team) Program, an international virtual campus initiative for flexo education.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., are also beneficiaries of the Harpers’ commitment to education. CPCC’s southwest campus is called the Harper Campus, and it features the Harper National Flexographic Center. On Appalachian State University’s campus, Katherine Harper Hall houses the school’s graphics education program and administrative offices, and the Harper Flexographic Museum chronicles the history of flexography.

DiTrolio Flexographic Institute in Chicago features the Ron and Katherine Harper Flexo Lab. The Flexo Trade School in Fort Mill, S.C., boasts a state-of-the-art Harper Lab of Flexography. Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis is introducing a new Harper Graphics Technology Center in addition to its Harper Wall

Other enduring testaments to the. Harpers’ dedication to technical education are the Harper Endowment at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and the Harper Scholarship Fund and the Harper Flexo Technology Wing at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Harpers also helped found and continue to offer critical financial support and guidance to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting flexography education. Just last year, in addition to their other work with the Foundation, the Harpers established the Katherine Harper Teachers’ Education Fund to address the need for broader and more intensive flexo education for instructors.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

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Harper Corporation’s Paul Teachout Shares his Expertise with Industry Professionals

Charlotte, North Carolina, November 7, 2011—Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation's Paul Teachout participated in the 2011 Folding Carton Seminar, hosted by OMET. A speaker, Teachout presented information to flexographic professionals that will enhance their ability to perform in today's market.

Titled "Today's Anilox Roll Technology," Teachout's presentation focused on how folding cartons are important in the field of flexographic printing. He also spoke to the selection, care, maintenance, and measuring practices involved in running a successful flexographic organization.

Because the industry is constantly evolving, due to the generation of more efficient, convenient, and effective technology and processes, it is important that flexographic professionals remain educated about the latest products and techniques to be incorporated into the field. Harper Corporation of America, through its participation in conferences, exhibitions, and seminars year-round, is a leader in the education of industry professionals and the drive to ensure that all members of the field are up to date on the latest technology.

Teachout's presentation took place on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Sonoco Institute at Clemson University. A free event, the Folding Carton Seminar is one of the many innovative industry events that pushes the envelope in terms of what the flexographic field can achieve.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com

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Harper Corporation of America Appoints Josh Sigmon as Sales & Technical Manager for Eastern Region of the World

 Charlotte, North Carolina, November 12, 2018—Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America is dedicated to providing leading innovation and support within the flexographic industry worldwide and has named Josh Sigmon the new Sales & Technical Manager for the Eastern Region of the world. In this role, he will serve the entire Eastern Hemisphere including Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East.  

Sigmon served as Technical Account Manager for the Central Plains Region prior to being appointed to this new role. He will benefit agents, distributors, and customers in the Eastern Hemisphere as the single point person for all of their needs and will provide improved support.

Sigmon possesses a strong educational background with Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology and Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology with a concentration in Flexography from Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Technologies from the University of Central Missouri. He worked full-time for Harper Corporation of America as a Quality Assurance Inspector while attending CPCC, and full-time for a large format printer while attending the University of Central Missouri.

In addition, Sigmon has won numerous awards in the industry. He participated in the Phoenix Challenge in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, winning three awards in 2017 for design research and execution. He also earned the PICA Award in 2013. His wealth of training and experience have been a strong asset in his work at Harper.

Harper Corporation of America is committed to maintaining its promise to offer the best quality products, technology, and outstanding customer service and support and is confident that Sigmon will uphold this mission while serving the Eastern Hemisphere.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Siancas at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jsiancas@harperimage.com. 

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Harper Corporation of America Recognized with 2012 Best of DePere Award

Charlotte, North Carolina, December 17, 2012—The DePere, Wisconsin, location of global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation of America has been honored with a 2012 Best of DePere Award in the category of printing trades machinery. The Harper team appreciates this recognition and thanks all of its customers for their support.

The company was selected for the 2012 Best of DePere Award because of the strong work ethic that its team demonstrates. Ensuring customer satisfaction is more than a goal at Harper Corporation—it is a way of business. Additionally, the Harper team works diligently to create flexographic tools and solutions that will assist customers in improving their printing operations. The innovation that has stemmed from the efforts of the professionals at Harper Corporation is groundbreaking, and the technology and products that the company has designed have positively impacted the efficiency, accuracy, and capabilities of its customers.

Harper Corporation of America is honored to receive the 2012 Best of DePere Award and will continue to provide the customer service for which it has become known. The company invites individuals in need of flexographic solutions to contact a Harper representative to learn more about the ways in which the organization has improved the communities in which it is located while providing the highest degree of service to its clientele.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com. 

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Harper Corporation’s Juan Bermudez to Speak at Andina-Pack 2011

Charlotte, North Carolina, October 26, 2011— Global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation is proud to announce that Juan Bermudez, the Sales and Service Manager for Latin America, will be giving a presentation at Andina-Pack 2011, an international packaging exhibition. Bermudez will also represent Harper Corporation at a booth at the event, which takes place in Bogota, Colombia, November 8-11.

Andina-Pack 2011 is known as one of the most prestigious events in the flexographic industry. The upcoming exhibition will allow industry professionals to discuss and discover integrated solutions for product management that are both competitive and sustainable.

This, the eleventh Andina-Pack event, will host over 700 exhibitors and 20,000 participants. Bermudez will be addressing participants concerning the anilox selection for high definition plate technologies, a topic that will prove both relevant and interesting to many of the event’s guests.

In addition to having its own presence in the form of a booth and Bermudez’s speech, Harper will be represented by its exclusive Colombian distributor, Chemisolutions. With representatives onsite at the Harper Corporation tabletop, Chemisolutions will be able to answer any questions that the event’s attendees may have.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

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Pete Hartman of Harper Corporation Announces Retirement

Charlotte, North Carolina, March 13, 2012—Pete Hartman, current Vice President of Sales at global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation, has announced his retirement effective March 12, 2012. Hartman has been in the industry for the past 42 years. He first joined Harper in June of 1992 and has served in various roles since, most recently as Vice President of Sales.

“Pete has provided the leadership necessary to thrive in challenging times,” said Lee Kluttz, Vice President of Operations. “He has done so much for Harper and the industry. We wish him well in his retirement.”

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

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Charlotte Chamber Recognizes Manufacturing Champion

Charlotte, N.C., October 10, 2007 – Before a packed banquet audience of nearly 650, the Charlotte Chamber honored Ron and Katherine Harper, founders of global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America, as the Charlotte Chamber’s 2007 Manufacturing Champions at an elegant awards gala at the Westin Charlotte on September 11.

Nominated by the Charlotte Chamber’s Manufacturers Council for their ingenuity in manufacturing and their commitment to professional education, the Harpers join the ranks of distinguished manufacturing champions recognized by the Chamber in the past, including Ruth Shaw of Duke Energy and Dan Dimico of Nucor Corporation.

The gala, sponsored by Wachovia, brought together the region’s most distinguished entrepreneurs and innovative businesspeople. The Harpers’ award, a one-of-a-kind vase, is a piece of art created by North Carolina glassblowing artist Kenny Pieper.

Ron and Katherine Harper’s dedication to trade education is a longstanding one. In 1990, the couple recognized the need for more high school vocational programs, and with the donation of their time, attention and funding, they paved the way to establish a flexographic printing program at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte. Since then, they have been instrumental in setting up educational programs at other area schools. Today 21 high schools and 32 colleges in the U.S., Canada and Argentina have vocational programs based on the ones the Harpers helped initiate.

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in Charlotte and Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., are also beneficiaries of the Harpers’ commitment to education. CPCC’s southwest campus is called the Harper Campus. On Appalachian State University’s campus, the building that houses the school’s graphics education program and administrative offices is Katherine Harper Hall.

The Harpers also helped found and continue to offer critical support and guidance to the Phoenix Challenge Foundation. Based in the Charlotte area, the foundation is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting flexography education. It sponsors the annual International Phoenix Challenge Flexo Skills Competition at the Harper National Flexographic Center at CPCC’s Harper Campus. Each year, teams of high school flexo students and their teachers from throughout the U.S. and Canada compete in this two-day skill-based competition, which is recognized throughout the industry as an important beacon for the industry’s future. Winners are eligible for scholarships funded by the Phoenix Challenge Foundation to encourage students to pursue further education and a career in flexography.

Through the Phoenix Challenge Foundation, the Harpers also established the Katherine Harper Teachers’ Education Fund to help address the need for broader and more intensive flexo education for instructors.

For further information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371 or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

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