We’re proud to work with some of the most knowledgeable experts in manufacturing at LD Davis. After all, a company doesn’t last nearly 100 years without encountering some incredibly talented and intelligent individuals.Throughout the years, LD Davis has expanded our offerings, and we’ve built and maintained a lot of strong relationships with manufacturers. Communicating our expertise effectively is the key to ensuring that our customers get high-quality services. We are pleased to have Glenn Maile join our team as a National Account Manager to help confirm that we are meeting our customer’s expectations.
Glenn has a long history in the rigid box industry. He was happy to sit down with us to talk about his experiences and what happens behind the scenes at LD Davis.
Work Hard
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE GLUE INDUSTRY?
I’ve spent more than 40 years in the rigid box industry. I’ve always had an interest in machinery; it started when I was in high school riding and fixing motorcycles. I had a friend who worked for FMC Corp and asked if I would be interested in working with rigid box machines.
I took the opportunity and I started working as a field service engineer and went to night school. From there, moved up to managing the CES rebuilding division. From there, I got into sales in the late ‘80s and have been in sales ever since.
HOW HAS LD DAVIS HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT?
I’ve worked on machinery that uses LD Davis adhesives for years in the rigid box industry. I’m very familiar with their products and the owner of the company. It’s inspiring to continue working more closely with LD Davis.
BEFORE WORKING AT LD DAVIS, WHAT WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL OR INTERESTING JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I don’t have any specific stories, but I traveled 80-100% of the time. My territory was primarily North America, so I spent a lot of time all over the US and Canada. I also traveled to South and Central America.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE LD DAVIS CANDIDATES?
LD Davis has been making glue for the rigid box industry for 90 years. The company has a lot of technical knowledge to offer. My advice: be passionate about the industry and be ready to keep on improving your skills.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT LD DAVIS?
I like the people and the environment. It is a small, close-knit group of individuals who are fantastic to work with, and the atmosphere is very supportive. I’ve worked for both large and small companies in the past, and it’s great working with a privately-owned company who wants to get stuff done. At LD Davis, people are decision-makers who take responsibility.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AT LD DAVIS?
Still to come! I just started a few months ago, and I’m still learning all the aspects of their business.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON RIGID BOX GLUE CHALLENGES?
Well, I guess it would be getting everything to work in harmony. To create a box, the machine, paper, board, and glue all need to run smoothly. The most common issue is that the glue might bubble or blister. Now, that tends to make people think the glue is the problem, but it is often a material issue.
For example, I recently helped a client with a “glue problem” that was causing the adhesive to bubble and blister. It turned out that the board they were applying the glue to was so dry it was absorbing all the water, so it wasn’t sticking by the time the paper was applied. I was able to help them pinpoint the issue and prevent it. My experience in the industry allows me to help clients make sure their machine, substrate, and chosen adhesive are all working together.
IF A CUSTOMER IS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING THEIR BOXES FROM POPPING OPEN, WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
This is another common complaint. Usually, this problem is related to “turn in”, or where the paper turns into the box. People tend to blame the glue, but often the problem has more to do with the paper, board, and fit of the forms than the adhesive itself. Sometimes the chosen paper is so stiff itpops open.
If the glue is the cause, it is usually because of the way it is set that’s causing it to dry too soon or not soon enough. The turn-in part of the equipment is further down the assembly line, so it is possible for the glue to dry before the paper gets turned-in by the machine. If you’re having trouble with boxes popping open, my recommendation is to check the fit of your forms, the setup, and call on an expert to help you troubleshoot.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATER-BASED GLUE OR GELATIN-BASED ANIMAL GLUE FOR RIGID BOX MANUFACTURING?
Helping customers select the right glue is based on experience and testing. The type of glue you choose for your manufacturing depends on the equipment you have, the material you use, and the environment you’re working in. For example, the plant environment plays a big role in what type of adhesive you should use. Manufacturing plants in the US have different climates that can affect how the glue adheres. At LD Davis, we have a lab of chemists that can help test both products and adhesives to find a product that works, which is a huge advantage for manufacturers.
HOW CAN A RIGID BOX GLUE “SHATTER”?
Different types of glues dry in unique ways. When glue “shatters” on a rigid box it has to do with the sugars in the glue reacting to different temperatures. Shattering tends to become more of an issue when the glue is frozen, like food packaging.
Rigid box manufacturers need to consider the environments their products will be subjected too when selecting the right kind of adhesive. For example, protein glue is often the go-to glue for rigid boxes for jewelry boxes, chocolate boxes, smartphone boxes, and other high-end luxury boxes. These types of packaging and products are not frozen. If you are working with a product that will be refrigerated or frozen, hot melt glue might work better.
If you’re worried about your glue shattering the best way to avoid problems it by talking to a glue expert!
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING GLUES?
It makes the old packaging easier and more cost-effective to recycle. Some adhesives can’t be recycled because they’re chemical based. For example, some hot melt glue used to seal cardboard, like those used to make cereal boxes, doesn’t get absorbed into the board and sits on top of the surface. This type of petroleum-based glue doesn’t get broken down by the environment. LD Davis’s adhesives, on the other hand, are 100% recyclable. Our adhesives get absorbed into the surface, making it easier to recycle.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE RIGID BOX MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY?
It’s hard to predict the future, but I have to say rigid boxes have made a comeback, and I don’t see them going away anytime soon. In the ‘90s, packaging tended to be collapsible and made of cardboard. Now, companies have started to realize the power of having an impactful box.
Think back to your last few smartphone, laptop, and other high-end purchases. They all came in a clean, beautifully printed rigid box, right? You probably even kept it, too. While you can’t tell a book by its cover, a high-quality box makes a statement that customers will hold onto. With home delivery services expanding and companies considering the customer experience more and more, I think rigid boxes will be here to stay for a while.
Play Hard
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY TO TRAVEL TOO?
Sedona, Arizona.
FAVORITE FOOD?
I’ve always been a fan of Italian food. Angel hair is my favorite, goes great with veal parmesan.
FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?
My favorite movie is Wild Hogs. I’ve never been a big TV guy. I like the Home & Garden channel and MotorTrend.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
Easy: ride my Harley Davidson Ultra! I’ve been to Florida twice and to Tennessee multiple times. I’m going back to Tennessee this summer! Some day, I’d love to take her on the open road all the way to Sedona, Arizona.
A big thank you to Glenn for sitting down and talking with us! We are so excited to have Glenn join the team at LD Davis and share his expertise with our customers! Feel free to connect with Glenn on LinkedIn.
