Aurora, Ill.-based Processing Technologies International LLC (PTi), a builder of sheet extrusion systems, changed its leadership structure to focus on strategic initiatives for operations, continuous improvements, customer service and delivery.
Founded in 1988, PTi equipment converts filled and unfilled resins into sheet for a wide range of markets, including packaging, construction, automotive, lawn and garden, office products, signage, and displays and appliances.
The company is making leadership changes, promoting veteran employees to other roles, including a new after-market manager position.
"These changes will bolster PTi's performance well into the future" President Dana Hanson said in a news release.
Dave Dorosa, who had served as vice president of engineering, is among the executives changing roles. He is now vice president of control technology. Dorosa has 43 years of experience in electrical design and manufacturing of extrusion systems, particularly PLC programming, drive control and web handling. He will use his knowledge and experience to develop, design, and implement PTi control system product while also being part of ongoing projects and serving as a mentor to the engineering group.
Mitch Gritzner, who has co-authored several PTi patents, is the new vice president of engineering. He will be responsible for all mechanical and electrical engineering efforts. Gritzner started with the company in 2002 as a mechanical project engineer then took on roles of senior project engineer, supervisor, manager, and most recently, director of mechanical engineering production.
Ryan Leopold, who also co-authored PTi patents, has been promoted to vice president of manufacturing, which puts him in charge of manufacturing, procurement and project management activities. Leopold joined PTi in 2006 as a mechanical project engineer and worked his way up during the last 18 years as senior project engineer, supervisor, manager, director of mechanical engineering design protocol, and most recently, director of manufacturing. Leopold's contributions include design work on projects like the original MultiNIP brand roll stand, HVTSE brand twin screw and uCAMS brand projects. He also had leadership roles in creating standardized design protocols.
In addition to executive level changes, PTi has launched a strategic initiative to improve the customer service experience for the aftermarket sales and service departments.
Rob Gurke, who recently joined PTi, is now the aftermarket sales manager. He has 11 years of sales and customer support experience in the aftermarket parts and service industry and will be responsible for managing and supporting PTi's expanding group.
Gurke succeeds Gloria Navarro, who held the position for the last seven years, and is taking on the newly created role of aftermarket engineered solutions sales manager support. Navarro, a 23-year veteran of PTi, will provide support for customers needing engineered products and services related to rebuilds, retrofits, upgrade kits and machinery modifications.
In one other change, Brad Moore recently joined PTi as a regional sales manager. He has more than 27 years of sales experience in the plastics industry, including stints at Thermoformer Parts Supply and Customer Manufacturers Inc., Michigan thermoformer builder. In those roles, Moore also dealt with many of the same PTi customers.
PTi will be at booth W5780 at NPE2024.