shift supervisor, customer service manager and plant manager to his present position of vice president of operations, now occupies his grandfather’s office. “We want to make a strong statement that we’re committed to the business,” states Lee. “Since we’ve taken over management, we’ve put $8 million in new equipment and technology back into the business. “And our employees are a tremendous asset. We have the largest and most highly skilled in field technical support staff in the industry— more than any competitor worldwide. “And we have a very stable workforce here. We’re very proud, that in 41 years, we’ve never had a layoff.” Growth is one of HCA’s more immediate goals. “We’ve had two consecutive years of 11 percent growth,” Lee says. “If we’re growing, I’m happy—but I’d like to provide more products and more jobs here. Our newest product line is bridge sleeves made in the U.S. and we will be adding other complementary products.” HCA also has a strong commitment to “green manufacturing.” Fifteen years ago they made the switch from chrome-plated rolls to the more environmentally-friendly ceramic-coated ones. They also separate out and recycle all the metals used in their manufacturing, including
“It’s a safe bet that if it’s a package that’s printed, coated and involves precision, we’re involved. Our mission is to be the customer’s resource base and help take them to markets where they would not otherwise be.” ~Jim Harper Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, HarperScientific Division recapturing metal wastes such as shavings, wires and powders. And all the cleaners HCA sells are environmentally safe. Maintaining the quality of HCA’s products and services is also paramount. “It’s about quality. We don’t cut corners. We’re not the cheapest, but when you look at what we provide, it’s really a bargain. We provide technical support, backing. Even companies who buy on price alone will say that Harper’s is the best roll out there,” says Margie proudly. “It’s a safe bet that if it’s a package that’s printed, coated and involves precision, we’re involved,” offers Jim. “Our mission is to be the customer’s
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resource base and help take them to markets where they would not otherwise be.” To keep their competitive edge, HCA stays abreast of industry trends. “For example,” says Lee, “now there’s computerization built into rolls that track revolutions and temperature to ensure that the rolls, which are often expensive pieces of machinery, aren’t damaged. The rolls can even tell the operator if they have the right roll in the press. “And the industry is always looking for faster and faster presses. Our ability to increase speed keeps us competitive.” “As far as packaging,” Lee continues, “we were involved in the project creating thermochromic labels,” referring to the labels which were nationally introduced on beverage containers that change color when the product reaches a certain temperature. “And we’re marketing a tactile label now that’s gotten a lot of interest. We have a sample that we show of a wet baseball sitting in the grass made with difference textures of threads. When you touch the baseball, you ‘feel’ the water beads on the baseball as well as the blades of grass. It has a three-dimensional look as well. “We are also working with other industry leaders on combining thermochromic, scratch and sniff with the tactile. Imagine being able to see, feel and smell the product before ever opening the package. And who knows…maybe one day we’ll even be able to taste it as well prior to buying the product.” It’s yet another innovation for Harper Corporation of America, but it sounds like grocery store shopping with a 5-year-old has just become a lot more challenging! biz Barbara Fagan is a Charlotte-based freelance writer.
Harper Corporation of America 11625 Steele Creek Road Charlotte, N.C. 28273 Phone: 704-588-3371 Principals: Margaret Harper Kluttz, President; Jim Harper, Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, HarperScientific Division; Ronald (“Lee”) Harper Kluttz, Vice President of Operations Founded: 1971 Employees: 118 in Charlotte, 43 in Green Bay, 35 in Europe/Asia Business: Manufacturer of high precision anilox rolls, gravure and coating rollers, and related machinery and supplies. www.harperimage.com www.harperscientific.com
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