Meet the Team: Dan Eckhoff – Director of Continuous Improvement at Inovar Packaging Group

Dan Eckhoff is the Director of Continuous Improvement at Inovar Packaging Group, working remotely from his home office in Provo, Utah. Though relatively new to this role, Dan’s connection to Inovar runs deep—he previously collaborated with several Inovar plants as a consultant, helping improve productivity and profitability. Now, as a full-time member of the team, he continues to focus on optimizing processes and driving continuous improvement across the company.

Dan finds immense satisfaction in the packaging and label industry’s impact on brand marketing. “I really enjoy the fact that we play such a large role in promoting our customers’ products,” he says. “It’s even more rewarding when we use a technology or process that adds unexpected value for our customers.” His passion for innovation and problem-solving makes him a key player in enhancing Inovar’s operations.

One memorable project for Dan was working with multiple Inovar plants to build strong relationships and collectively find solutions. “Developing great relationships with the teams and working on solutions together has been incredibly rewarding”.

Dan describes Inovar’s culture as a true reflection of its core values: customer focus, open communication, respect, recognition, and partnership-driven growth. He appreciates that the company prioritizes development and collaboration, creating an environment where every team member can thrive. When it comes to problem-solving, Dan has a structured approach. He starts by assessing the severity, frequency, and detectability of the issue. He then checks if documented procedures are in place and followed. “It’s essential to determine if processes need better documentation or revision, ensuring everyone is aligned”. Using data and key performance indicators (KPIs) is central to his strategy, though he emphasizes the importance of interpreting the information with the right perspective.

Dan’s first job as a land surveyor at age 15 taught him responsibility, problem-solving, and the importance of attention to detail. “I worked six days a week and rode my bike six miles to work. That experience instilled a strong work ethic”.

If he could switch jobs for a day, Dan would choose to be an astronaut aboard the space station. “I’ve always been fascinated by space. Seeing Earth without borders would be an unforgettable experience”. A fun fact about Dan? He once hit a top speed of 71 MPH while downhill skiing! On his days off, he loves getting outdoors—whether skiing, hiking, or enjoying nature. If he could have dinner with any historical figure, Dan would choose Lewis and Clark, intrigued by their groundbreaking expedition across uncharted territory.

Dan’s dedication to continuous improvement and passion for innovation make him an invaluable part of the Inovar team, always striving to enhance processes and deliver value to customers.

And one more thing—Go Utes!