Innovation Technologist // Production Improvement Wizard
Innovation flows throughout Koroseal, from manufacturing to execution; however, our technical team is on the front lines of applying innovative machines and techniques to our customers’ projects. These teams bring your dreams from sample, to execution. As an Innovation Technologist, Joe Thompson helps apply Koroseal’s newest technologies to production. This includes spending time in the lab, working with samples, and determining how to best bring an idea to life in execution. Joe’s inquisitive nature and love for problem solving drives the brilliant solutions we create for our customers each day.
Born in the small town of New Hope, Kentucky, Joe grew up always loving the art of creating. Not just creating for the sake of making something, but creating to solve a problem in an efficient way. Any task, big or small, Joe was always trying to figure out the most effective way to complete it.
“My favorite TV show was ‘How It’s Made’. I knew I wanted to do something in manufacturing. Working on projects, and coming up with solutions to problems makes me feel a sense of purpose.”
Joe’s intuition to create strategic solutions was a natural fit for a career in the technical field. He earned his college degree in Technology Management, and has spent the last 21 years with Koroseal, building his extensive knowledge of both our brand, and the interior solutions industry. Upon graduation, Joe started his journey with Koroseal as a Production Shift Supervisor. Later, as Process Engineer, Joe focused on continuous improvement and production of the Louisville facility. Then, in 2013, he helped coordinate the development and sourcing of materials for the consolidation of Koroseal’s facilities into one location. With his success of managing large scale project efficiencies, Joe was next tasked to help with the start up of our Digital operations, supporting the development and launch of our Digital team services.
Today, Joe works in a new role within the Technical team, serving as an Innovation Technologist. His work helps us identify the most efficient and advanced solutions to deliver on each customer’s needs, and design vision.
Creating Quality Tech Solutions
As a Koroseal Innovation Technologist, Joe leverages his experiences to help us identify and utilize the best production solutions for our customers. He evaluates new samples, equipment, and techniques, to find not only the most efficient way to execute, but the best way to provide a quality product our customers will love.
In order to find the best solution, Joe looks at the bigger picture - focusing not just on the manufacturing side of things, but thinking about how the solution will work in execution for the customer. This means thinking about the client’s needs, both aesthetically and functionally.
“Having more exposure to customers, and seeing how our decisions impact the end users and their projects, has helped me think more holistically about projects.”
Joe recognizes that it isn’t just about identifying the best ways to make our products, but also being mindful of how our products perform in execution. We want to ensure Koroseal consistently delivers for our customers, and that Koroseal is a brand people can trust.
Technology is always evolving, and Joe and his team stay at the forefront. The tech team has expanded Koroseal’s equipment roster, bringing on many new machines that we have not had in the past, and advising on the best applications for our products.
Finding the best solution for product executions perfectly aligns with Joe’s strengths. His ability to evaluate and problem solve helps the Technical team make decisions that advance our production lines. Also, working cross-functionally to help support our designers and sales teams comes naturally for Joe. He always has the team’s best interest at heart.
“Creativity and function. That really describes the role of the Technical team - finding ways to bring art and design into reality, in a product. We must figure out the proper techniques and machine settings to execute as close to the designer’s vision as possible. We want to deliver on what they’ve imagined. We take what we know about each machine, and apply that to the designs. We go back and forth with the design team until we are both happy with the end result.”
Using his extensive experiences, problem-solving prowess, and customer knowledge, Joe is always able to help our teams find a superior balance between creativity and function - allowing us to consistently deliver beautiful results!
Creating with Joe
We met with Joe to learn more about his approach and inspiration.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Joe: The people I work with day in and day out! It is hard to find a team of people that work this well together.
Describe a project or task that allowed you to help bring a customer’s dream to life.
Joe: In a prior role, I was helping on a project for the Minnesota Vikings training facility. They had selected a pattern with a smooth finish, and when they installed the material it was causing some effects that they did not anticipate. We traveled on site to see if we could help them fix the issue. Right away, we recognized that the emboss was the culprit. The design was perfect for the room; and the designer really wanted to make it work, so we suggested that another emboss be used with the existing prints. We were able to turn samples around overnight, and the customer selected from six textures we provided. We ran production that week, and they installed the material the following week. The designer was so happy that we were able to help her correct this flaw, and maintain her vision. It was a team effort by many departments.
What is a memorable piece of advice, or quote you find inspiring?
Joe: Find something you enjoy doing, and you will never work a day in your life. I can say I enjoy what I do.
What does customer service mean to you?
Joe: Customers are the reason we get to do what we do. We should make every customer feel like they are our only customer.
What’s a hobby or interest that fuels your creativity?
Joe: My family and I enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. We also really enjoy rollercoasters and theme parks, and love when we get the chance to go. I think our favorite is Universal Studios.
What is your favorite Koroseal product?
Joe: I have to say wallcovering, because I have been a part of making it for 21 years! My favorite pattern is Tessere - I liked that pattern as soon as Technical got a first look at it. The 3D look makes it appear as if it is lifting off the wall. It’s so cool!
Interested in joining the Koroseal team? Learn more about Careers at Koroseal.
