Tom Van Epps Email & Phone Number

Racine, Wi, Us

Racine, Wi, Us

Racine, Wi, Us

Dublin, Ireland, Ie

Pharmaceutical / Medical Device Packagingo Team member in a new packaging department at a top quartile specialty pharmaceutical manufacturero Collaborated with ESKO to build and implement WebCenter, ArtiosCAD and CAPE (packaging software suite) - Worked extensively with stakeholders to define packaging development process to create workflows, and assign roles, responsibilities and user access within WebCenter - Developed specification management procedure - Created/modified ArtiosCAD attributes to integrate packaging specifications with WebCentero Team member assisting in the design of a new packaging system for radiopharmaceutical product that resulted in decreased customer returns, optimized manufacturing efficiency and reduced cost resulting in over $1MM annual savingso Supported packaging of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), contrast-media/imaging, finished dosage (potent compounds/HAZMAT), medical devices, and radiopharmaceuticalso Created database and summary of pharmaceutical laws, guidance, enforcement (483s and warning letters) and recognized standards (ASTM, ISTA, ISO, USP, ICH) and hosted classroom for all Packaging Engineerso Experience with terminally sterilized medical device packaging validation (ISO 11607) and FDA Design Controlo Authored distribution qualification test protocols and reports (ISTA 3A/3E, ASTM 4169 and 7386)o Identified FDA, DOT and EU packaging regulatory gaps and implemented projects to correct issueso Managed calibrations and testing at Corporate Packaging Laboratoryo Drafted packaging specifications, test procedures and incoming raw material requirementso Worked extensively with R&D, manufacturing, marketing, regulatory, quality, logistics and graphics functional groups

St. Louis, Mo, Us

Member of Technical Applications Group (TAG) supporting product primary, secondary and tertiary packaging of Beggin’, Friskies Party Mix, Whisker Lickin’s, Busy, Alpo Snaps, Beneful Baked and Beneful Healthy Smile snacks itemso Supported packaging at three Purina treats manufacturing sites and five co-manufacturing siteso Focused on implementing packaging on high-speed stand-up pouch, flow-wrap and folding carton lineso Completed validation and stability testing for new package designso Used statistical analysis to solve piece count/pouch weight inconsistencies to decrease complaintso Improved design of Beggin’ merchandise display to reduce labor and material, resulting in $300K cost avoidanceo Authored multiple test protocols and performed manufacturing trials to evaluate new packaging films/sizeso Solved date code smearing quality issue with South American co-manufacturero Improved process for requesting/entering SAP Quality Information Records for packaging materials vendor auditso Performed vendor quality assurance audits for cGMP and FDA complianceo Attended Nestle North American Packaging College, Exxon Mobil University of OPPo Completed Nestle multi-day on-site courses Skills for Innovation and Skills for Engagemento Authored and maintained material specifications for corrugated board, laminate pouches, paperboard cartons o Supported design and qualification of switching entire brand from paperboard cartons to stand-up poucheso Studied MVTR through moisture vapor isotherm data to select down-gauged films

Dublin, Ireland, Ie

See description above

Middleton, Wi, Us

United IndustriesDesigned, specified and qualified packaging for insecticides and pesticides with global brands such as Hot Shot, Cutter, Repel, Black Flag, Spectracide, Garden Safe and Schultzo Product and package design, specification, testing and manufacturing supporto Experience with aerosols, liquids and granular products with a variety of packaging designs: Aerosol cans, valves, closures and caps Blow-molded and injection molded bottles, closures, labels (IML, stretch) and delivery systems Paperboard cartons, corrugated cases, pallet unit load design POP displays, Wal-Mart Retail Ready Packaging (RRP)o Supported plant operations with packaging line support from product packaging to distributiono Managed BOMs and packaging specifications for all company productso Developed packaging SOPs for externally manufactured products and retail merchandising displayso Collaborated with suppliers to reduce raw material costs on folding cartonso Coordinated and oversaw testing for product and display unit-loads (ISTA 3E)

Middleton, Wi, Us

United Pet Groupo Leading global manufacturer and distributor of premium home aquarium supplies.o Direct experience designing packaging utilizing a variety of packaging materials, including paper and paperboard, corrugated board, bottles, closures and blister cardso Assisted with carton design modifications to reduce material/cost and oversaw line trials for new cartonso Solved on-going leak problems caused by mismatched bottles and closures