David Savastano, Editor05.15.17
For Jim Garner, technical director for Flint Group Pigments, one look at a lab was enough to convince him to join the ink industry.
“I had a good friend who was the plant manager at an ink manufacturer,” said Garner. “He needed to fill a lab position, and thought I might like it. I took a good look at the role and liked what I saw. I have never looked back.”
Throughout the years, Garner has been involved in the development and marketing of a long series of upgraded product offerings, largely flushed pigment systems, beginning with Graphic Fine Color in 1976, followed by The Ink Company in 1979 and BASF in 1984. He joined Flint Group when BASF was purchased by Flint Group in 1996.
Garner was an early pioneer in the successful development of news inks for the then-new injector presses. He worked with Goss on its display model in Contra Costa, CA, before the general use of cone and plate rheometers. On the pigment side, he was a team member of the BASF developmental group dedicated to producing a method of converting PCN blue crude to replace salt grinding; the far more environmentally friendly indirect blue conversion process is the direct result of that work. He was also a team member of the BASF developmental group dedicated to producing lithol rubine flush technology.
One example of Garner’s knowledge of pigments was a paper he published and subsequently delivered to NPIRI comparing and contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of ink formulation with both flushed and dried pigments. Garner also served on various committees related to the use of the Laray Viscometer, tint methods, and Grind Gauge.
Garner is particularly well regarded for his ability to solve the problems of his pigment customers.
“Jim is a pioneer and a trooper,” added Ron Gallas, global VP sales for Flint Group Pigments. “He always seems to find the solution to any problem – no matter how challenging. Jim has touched every facet of inks. He knows all aspects of the process, from the moment raw materials come in the door, are formulated into the ink, and are running on the press.”
As for influences, Garner noted that he has had talented, effective managers who “taught me to manage people, events, and large doses of responsibility, and honored me with responsibilities and opportunities.”
Garner said his career has taken him all over the world.
“I have lived all over the country and traveled all over the world,” Garner noted. “The industry is filled with interesting people, and I have made good friends. I was forced to play golf, and found out I loved it!”
Besides golf, he has lots of other hobbies. “I play the guitar badly,” Garner said. “ I love to play golf and bowl, and am a sports fan in general. I am a private pilot, have a couple of motorcycles and love fast cars.”
Garner is appreciative of being named a Printing Ink Pioneer.
“It is a great honor, and totally unexpected,” Garner said. “I have been in the industry a long time, and had never thought of myself in those terms. I am grateful to be among those others who have been honored in this way. It is a wonderful feature of this industry.”
“I had a good friend who was the plant manager at an ink manufacturer,” said Garner. “He needed to fill a lab position, and thought I might like it. I took a good look at the role and liked what I saw. I have never looked back.”
Throughout the years, Garner has been involved in the development and marketing of a long series of upgraded product offerings, largely flushed pigment systems, beginning with Graphic Fine Color in 1976, followed by The Ink Company in 1979 and BASF in 1984. He joined Flint Group when BASF was purchased by Flint Group in 1996.
Garner was an early pioneer in the successful development of news inks for the then-new injector presses. He worked with Goss on its display model in Contra Costa, CA, before the general use of cone and plate rheometers. On the pigment side, he was a team member of the BASF developmental group dedicated to producing a method of converting PCN blue crude to replace salt grinding; the far more environmentally friendly indirect blue conversion process is the direct result of that work. He was also a team member of the BASF developmental group dedicated to producing lithol rubine flush technology.
One example of Garner’s knowledge of pigments was a paper he published and subsequently delivered to NPIRI comparing and contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of ink formulation with both flushed and dried pigments. Garner also served on various committees related to the use of the Laray Viscometer, tint methods, and Grind Gauge.
Garner is particularly well regarded for his ability to solve the problems of his pigment customers.
“Jim is a pioneer and a trooper,” added Ron Gallas, global VP sales for Flint Group Pigments. “He always seems to find the solution to any problem – no matter how challenging. Jim has touched every facet of inks. He knows all aspects of the process, from the moment raw materials come in the door, are formulated into the ink, and are running on the press.”
As for influences, Garner noted that he has had talented, effective managers who “taught me to manage people, events, and large doses of responsibility, and honored me with responsibilities and opportunities.”
Garner said his career has taken him all over the world.
“I have lived all over the country and traveled all over the world,” Garner noted. “The industry is filled with interesting people, and I have made good friends. I was forced to play golf, and found out I loved it!”
Besides golf, he has lots of other hobbies. “I play the guitar badly,” Garner said. “ I love to play golf and bowl, and am a sports fan in general. I am a private pilot, have a couple of motorcycles and love fast cars.”
Garner is appreciative of being named a Printing Ink Pioneer.
“It is a great honor, and totally unexpected,” Garner said. “I have been in the industry a long time, and had never thought of myself in those terms. I am grateful to be among those others who have been honored in this way. It is a wonderful feature of this industry.”
