Rick Hocking Named "Converter of the Year"

Published: March 20, 2005, By pffc-online.com

PRESS RELEASE

Rick Hocking, plant manager at Banner Packaging, a div. of Bemis Co., has been selected as the 2005 "Converter of the Year." Hocking will be presented with the prestigious award during a special ceremony at CMM Intl. Monday, April 18.

Under Hocking’s guidance, Banner Packaging has grown dramatically and captured numerous honors and awards for quality print production. These include several FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards, including 2003’s Best of Show. That same year, the company took the European Flexographic Technical Assn.’s Best in Show award.

Hocking began his career in flexography in 1978 as a press helper. His career progression included plate mounting and press operation. In 1985, he became printing department manager, and in 1999, he was promoted to plant manager.

When Hocking first joined Banner Packaging, the company consisted of three owners, 10 production employees, and an office manager. Today, it employs 500 people and the original 20,000 sq ft plant currently is being expanded to nearly 600,000 sq ft.

For more on Rick Hocking, see the March 2005 Editor’s Page.

For complete CMM 2005 coverage, click here.