Kirk Valko

Kirk Valko Email and Phone Number

Packaging Engineer | Designer | Fabricator @ Tek Pak, Inc.
batavia, illinois, united states
Kirk Valko's Location
Greater Chicago Area, United States
About Kirk Valko

I am a Packaging Design Engineer and my specialty is providing insightful, well thought out solutions to each unique situation. I do this by learning the current ways of working, understanding the drivers behind the processes, and collaborating with all business functions on what is possible. From there, I can use my wide breadth of experience with a multitude of manufacturing processes to recommend a path forward. I have been successful because of my openness to receiving and adapting to new information, my forethought, insight, and effective communication across all levels of the organization. What’s unique about me and my approach is that not only do I love to simplify the complex and resolve problems, I value continuous learning and believe that everyone has a unique perspective that can lend value. Taking the time to learn the current state and to understand the human aspect facilitates collaboration and encourages change and growth.

Kirk Valko's Current Company Details
Tek Pak, Inc.

Tek Pak, Inc.

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Packaging Engineer | Designer | Fabricator
batavia, illinois, united states
Website:
tekpak.com
Employees:
43
Kirk Valko Work Experience Details
  • Tek Pak, Inc.
    Project Manager, Lead
    Tek Pak, Inc. Oct 2023 - Present
    St Charles, Illinois, United States
  • Sonoco Protective Solutions  (Formerly Tegrant, Protexic Brands, Sca, Tuscarora)
    Design Engineer
    Sonoco Protective Solutions (Formerly Tegrant, Protexic Brands, Sca, Tuscarora) Nov 2009 - Jul 2023
    Arlington Heights, Il
    Worked directly with customer and sales team to develop molded expanded foam polymer packaging and components. Balanced product protection requirements in overall distribution environment with associated costs to design practical packaging utilizing foam, wood, and corrugated materials.• Created customer-facing expanded foam products with high end cosmetic surface finishes• Launched returnable tote system into medical device company for significant cost and damage reduction• Developed cost-neutral packaging to eliminate damage in direct-ship automotive battery application• Integrated new expanded foam components inside HVAC and medical devices for air ducting, thermal insulation, and sound reduction as well as part count and assembly cost reduction• Introduced new expanded foam components into home furnishings for 50% weight savings and 30% reduction in assembled parts count while reducing hazards to assembly personnel• Machined CNC prototypes for presentation, ISTA and ASTM testing and certification• Estimate production costs and steam chest mold tooling layouts• Coached customers through designing with expanded foam including Design for Manufacture review and rework of customer-developed designs• Researched new equipment to improve existing production processes• Installed and refurbished 3-axis CNC for improved prototyping capabilities and throughput• Implemented and administered SolidWorks Enterprise PDM• Administrated and developed SharePoint system for project management queue
  • Sonoco Alloyd
    Project Engineer
    Sonoco Alloyd Jun 2006 - Nov 2009
    Dekalb, Illinois, United States
    Coordinated technical resources for thermoformed products from initial concept to commercialization and through product life cycle.• Ensured successful and on-time project completion. Supported company-wide sustainability efforts through material research and testing. Designed and researched new Heat Seal tooling and Radio Frequency welding applications.• Introduced sustainable materials and compatible seal tooling and card stock in high speed automation environment for Fortune 500 cosmetics company to support worldwide company initiative to eliminate PVC films
  • Sonoco Alloyd
    Design Engineer
    Sonoco Alloyd Jul 2004 - Jun 2006
    Dekalb, Illinois, United States
    Designed thin gauge thermoforms for consumer packaged goods and medical industries.• Designed new consumer and end user friendly high-security, high-visibility thermoformed blister packages. Communicated with sales to establish and fulfill customer goals. Designed and problem-solved production form and seal tooling• Developed company-wide part library in Solidworks to speed up design process and standardize product fit throughout product lines
  • Georgia-Pacific Llc
    Corrugated Design Intern
    Georgia-Pacific Llc Jan 2001 - Jul 2001
    Circleville, Oh
    Designed and prototyped new corrugated packaging and point of purchase displays.• Designed ArtiosCAD standards for frequently used customer-specific corrugated containers• Designed layouts and qualified specifications for rotary die-cut tooling.• Perform customer audits to improve function, cost, and sustainability. • Set up automatic calculation of percent waste in designs for plant-wide tracking and cost-analysis• Designed ArtiosCAD standards for frequently used customer-specific corrugated containers• Managed temp employees responsible for daily quality testing• Automated data entry process for daily quality testing in Microsoft Excel

Kirk Valko Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Kirk Valko

What company does Kirk Valko work for?

Kirk Valko works for Tek Pak, Inc.

What is Kirk Valko's role at the current company?

Kirk Valko's current role is Packaging Engineer | Designer | Fabricator.

What schools did Kirk Valko attend?

Kirk Valko attended Michigan State University, Michigan State University.

Who are Kirk Valko's colleagues?

Kirk Valko's colleagues are Ana Sosa, Amanda Wnek, Abigail Mahan, Stephanie Elias, Kimberly Gotte, Anna Lis, Ladonna Gilbert.

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