Harpak-ULMA Appoints New Chairman of the Board

Medical packaging machinery and equipment manufacturer Harpak-ULMA recently appointed CEO Kevin Roach to chairman of the board. His appointment follows the retirement of Charlie Harlfinger, former CEO and chairman of the board since the company’s founding.

Roach has served as Harkpak-ULMA’s CEO since 2018 when he was brought onboard to spearhead developments in smart manufacturing. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant growth and technological advancements. His automation, digital transformation, and strategic growth expertise have guided Harpak-ULMA’s expansion.

Roach lead a multi-year, multi-phase technology strategy that enhanced Harpak-ULMA’s product offerings with concepts such as augmented reality work instructions. As chairman of the board, he will continue to drive the company’s strategic vision, focusing on innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.

A legacy of innovation.

Charlie Harlfinger served as president of Harpak-ULMA from 1998 to 2013. His career began in 1974 when he founded Kutter Supplies and forged a new approach to packaging machines. Rather than using traditional relay controls, the company used programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and supervisory control and data acquisition controls (SCADA).

After a merger with TW Foods, TW Kutter became a leader in meat processing and medical packaging equipment, thanks in part to those digital capabilities that supported product consistency, audit trails, security, and regulatory compliance. The company was the first to adopt on-demand digital printing for packaging.

“Charlie Harlfinger’s legacy of innovation and excellence has set a high standard, and I’m committed to continuing this legacy,” said Roach.