Some leaders are drawn to the role. Alex Hinkle grew into it one complex system at a time. What began as an electrical engineering co-op at Barry-Wehmiller Packaging while attending Ohio State University in 2013 evolved into a career defined by deep technical expertise across some of the packaging industry's most demanding equipment—can seamers, rotary fillers, servo cappers—and a growing realization that solving hard problems alongside customers was where he felt most alive.
After completing graduate school, he joined the team full time in 2016, taking on programming, interface development, and commissioning responsibilities across multiple product lines—including can seamers, rotary fillers, and servo cappers serving food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets.
That initial diverse technical foundation has been key to his success, and his exposure to field commissioning equipment unleashed a passion for customer service.
“I find it incredibly fulfilling to work alongside a team, solve a complex application, and produce tangible results for a customer,” he says.
One project that stands out involved designing and installing two ‘Triblock’ rinser, filler, and capper systems that resulted in record-setting production levels for the customer—a feat that demonstrates both his engineering precision and his commitment to customer satisfaction.
“Witnessing the customer’s satisfaction as their new line produced at rates they characterized as the best they had ever seen is what makes me proud to be a part of the BW Packaging team,” Hinkle says.
In May of 2025, he transitioned into his current role leading BW Packaging’s electrical field service team, which supports new and existing equipment across North and South America. The move has allowed him to blend hands-on technical experience with leadership, mentoring engineers and technicians while ensuring customer feedback informs future equipment design.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in empathy and continuous learning.
“Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about listening, adapting, and empowering others to succeed,” he says. That mindset guided him through early-career challenges, like mastering the complexities of filling and capping systems, and continues to define his approach to leading others today.
Now, as a team leader, Hinkle is focused on developing others while advancing service excellence. His goals include improving new equipment checkout processes, expanding technical support capabilities, and strengthening career development pathways within his team.
He credits company culture with making it a pleasure to come to work each day. “Reporting to work feels like visiting friends and family,” he says. “We recognize individuals, celebrate successes, and inspire fellow team members. Being a part of this special culture is something that excites me every day.”
With an eye towards the future, Hinkle keeps attuned to emerging industry trends—from the growing demand for faster, more technical field service support to the rise of advanced human-machine interfaces (HMIs) like BW Packaging’s next-generation OpView™ HMI, which integrates data visualization, video tutorials, and predictive maintenance tools.
“Technology is evolving quickly, and so are customer expectations,” he notes. “At BW Packaging, we want to be lifetime partners to our customers—always ready to support their growth and success.”
