EMPLOYEE PROFILE
Jim Kearns Systems Architect , Chief Packaging Engineer , PageWide Web Press Team
Meet Jim Kearns , Distinguished Technologist , Systems Architect , Chief Packaging Engineer , PageWide Web Press Team — whether he ’ s coaching kids at the local high school or developing the latest printers at HP , Jim believes that anything is possible with a team . Most recently his team collaborated with KBA Digital & Web Solutions 1 , to create the HP PageWide Web Press T1100S , capitalizing on corrugated packaging printing for high-volume , digital preprint applications .
I work with brilliant people
I ’ ve enjoyed working on technology development with the team . We were the first movers in this transition from analog to digital packaging and printing with a totally disruptive product — the T1100S . We ’ ve had the opportunity to investigate technology that is going to supply solutions over a wide variety of horizons .
We stand on shoulders
We are able to be successful today because of the assets created by previous organizations within HP . When we started working on the HP PageWide web press , we used existing HP assets like print heads to create our first industrial production machine — propelling us into the high-speed industrial printing industry . We moved away from analog processes , allowing for greater productivity . Launching a start-up within HP was a great experience , and I was fortunate to be a part of that group .
Each day is different
I ’ m working on technologies and products that we ’ ll be delivering this summer and as far out as 2020 . It ’ s interesting to think about products we need now and those we ’ ll need in the future . My highest priority right now is working on the T1100S . It ’ s been a valuable experience collaborating with KBA on a product that will change the corrugate industry as we know it today .
I also have leadership roles in other technology development and products we will introduce over the next 2 to 7 years . Especially for the longer term technology , we are partnering with Graphics Solutions Business ( GSB ) divisions to make sure we are making and appropriately guiding investments in technologies that will serve GSB and HP .
Work is like football
I enjoy coaching football and getting to know young people in our community . I believe anything is possible with a team and that rings true on the football field and in technology development . Every position matters and it ’ s amazing how people step up to make things happen when they ’ re given the chance . •
Learn more : http :// bit . ly / IJ3 _ 02
In the next issue …
Creating a culture of innovation
How do you create an ethos of innovation in your organization ? A culture where everyone is empowered to dream up new ideas , and find solutions to everyday problems . Our next issue explores the “ maker spirit ” that has become the fabric of HP , our customers and partners for the past 76 years . We ’ ll showcase real-life examples , dive deep into the technologies that are enabling a maker movement , look at how HP partners are finding new ways to drive business outcome for customers , and explore leadership best practices needed to innovate , transform and drive growth .
Innovation Journal
INVENTING THE BLENDED WORLD OF TOMORROW
1 Koenig & Bauer AG ( KBA ): A German company that makes printing presses based in Würzburg . It was founded by Friedrich Koenig and Andreas Friedrich Bauer in Würzburg in 1817 , making it the oldest printing press manufacturer in the world .
Issue 3 · Summer 2016 · Innovation Journal 27