Print Solutions Magazine

Print Solutions July 2006

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Congressman Visits The Flesh Company

The Flesh Company’s manufacturing facility in Parsons, Kan., welcomed U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.) for a tour on March 24. The congressman was visiting manufacturing facilities in Kansas ’ second district while Congress was not in session.

U. S. Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.), left, and Berardino examine a form at the Flesh Company in Parsons, Kan. Ryun is known for running a mile in high school in 3 minutes, 55.3 seconds, a record which stood for 36 years. He also participated in three summer Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in the 1500 meter run in 1968. Ryun became a congressman in 1996.

“He was very attentive to our processes and spent a lot of time conversing with our employees, ” says Bob Berardino, chief operations officer. During the congressman’s visit, which lasted slightly more than an hour, Ryun met employees, toured the plant and spoke with management about business challenges.

“He was very familiar with what’s going on in the paper industry,” Berardino says. Company officers discussed energy costs, delivery issues and consolidation in the paper industry causing a paper shortage. They also talked about challenges in the shrinking print industry and changing product lines.

“The employees got a big kick out of it,” says Donna Grounds, vice president of sales. “He was very personable and it was a lot of fun.” Grounds says that Ryun, who is a member of the Armed Services Committee, asked for extra samples of an integrated magnet printed with an American flag. He was also interested in a photo carrier the Flesh Company had produced for military personnel to mail pictures home.

Ryun was the first congressman to visit the Flesh Company, Berardino says, and, “he’s certainly welcome to come back!”