CMD Corporation has hired Charles Garris as Vice President of Product Development, Engineering, and Technical Services.   In this leadership position, Garris will meet ambitious strategic goals for innovation, technology, and service for CMD, a leader in the design and manufacture of film, bag and flexible packaging converting equipment.

Garris held a series of senior level positions with Southwire Company since 2003.  In his most recent position as Director, FlatWire Technologies Division, he was responsible for a consumer electronics, lighting and accessories product line with technology based on a breakthrough concept called FlatWire technology, which allows the installation of high-tech products in nearly any physical location at lower total installed costs.  He previously worked at DeCorp America’s, Inc., where he was the Director and Chief Architect of FlatWire technology. (DeCorp America’s, Inc. was subsequently acquired by Southwire in late 2005.)  He has also worked for Invensys Appliance Controls, a Global Leader in Residential and Commercial Appliance Controls, where he served in R&D, Product Development, Engineering, and Technical Support roles in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy.

Garris graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. with a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.  He has been granted over 20 patents, worldwide, and has achieved numerous other technical awards.

Garris holds several certificates, including the Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from M.I.T. Sloan School of Management in Boston.  He is experienced in product development and lifecycle management, Six Sigma and Lean manufacturing, finite element analysis and 3-D computer aided design.  He has also spent considerable time “in the field,” assisting customers from a technical services perspective.  He speaks both English and Spanish fluently. 

“Charles’ skills, experience and creativity align with our company mission to Listen to the marketplace, Learn new ways to solve problems and Lead the film, bag and flexible packaging converting equipment industry in new solutions, “said CMD President, Stephen Sakai.

CMD designs and manufactures high-performance equipment for the plastic converting and flexible packaging industry, including pre-made pouch machines for medical, food, shipping and  electronics; bag and film converting lines for trash, carry-out, produce, hospitality, construction, ice, plant/lawn & garden applications as well as web-handling equipment and end-of-line packaging automation for bags on a roll or folded bags.  Custom engineering and R&D project development are core skills for the firm, which has a 43,000 sq. ft. Technology Center for proprietary customer projects.  CMD serves a global marketplace with a network of agents and service/sales associates and manufactures all equipment to exacting standards at USA facilities. 

CMD Corporation

(920) 730-6888

www.cmd-corp.com