Leadership Team

Jeff Taylor

Sr. VP Manufacturing and Operations

Graduating from a Graphic Arts Program in 1976, Jeff began his career with an apprenticeship at a Vancouver-based commercial printing company. His passion for prepress led him to a position as Production Supervisor for one of Vancouver\'s largest prepress companies, where he transitioned to Vice President of Production and finally the President over a span of 16 years.

In 1998, Jeff joined Hemlock Printers as the Director of Manufacturing, and today, now serves as Senior VP Manufacturing and Operations.

Jeff had a pivotal role in the development of a Graphic Arts Diploma Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, where he now teaches in his spare time.

jtaylor@hemlock.com

Chris White

Sr. VP Finance

Chris graduated in 1976 from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce and received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1978. While working in public practice with Price Waterhouse, he gained considerable experience with both public and private companies. In 1987 Chris became Corporate Controller of a paint manufacturer with 2 factories and over 400 employees.

In 1996, Chris joined Hemlock Printers as Manager, Finance & Administration. He now serves as our Senior Vice President, Finance and oversees the Accounting and Administration Departments. He is responsible for corporate accounting, budgeting, information systems, shareholder planning and other related financial matters.

cwhite@hemlock.com

Peter Madliger

Vice President, Prepress

Peter’s career in graphic arts began 40 years ago in Switzerland, where he received training in offset lithography, specializing in print colour reproduction. After graduating from a four-year prepress program, Peter immigrated to Canada in 1968. In 1976, he joined a top Vancouver graphic arts company, where he led their colour imaging department and later the entire electronic prepress operation.

Joining Hemlock in 1990, Peter used his expertise to develop an in-house prepress department, making Hemlock the first full-service printer in Vancouver. Today, he leads a team of over 30 skilled technicians. Peter enjoys sharing his colour expertise with Hemlock’s clients, represented by both small and large design studios and corporate print buyers.

Peter was elected to the Creo Users Association Board of Directors in 1997 and has continued in this capacity for the Graphic Users Association for Kodak Solutions.

pmadliger@hemlock.com

Dick Kouwenhoven

President and Chief Executive Officer

After graduating from Rotterdam Graphics Arts College in 1962 as a journeyman Typographer, and a short career in the graphic arts industry in the Netherlands, Dick moved to Vancouver in early 1965. He joined a small storefront printer (Hemlock) in Burnaby as the one-and-only employee in September of 1965 and became the majority shareholder in July of 1968.

Dick has kept Hemlock at the forefront of technological innovation and environmental awareness in the printing industry, while maintaining a total commitment to quality and integrity.

Today, Dick is President & CEO of Hemlock with two Burnaby plants that total almost 100,00 square feet and employ over 170 dedicated craftspeople. He is proud to serve clients all over North America with a commitment to the highest quality results with the least environmental impact.

dick@hemlock.com

Richard Kouwenhoven

Vice President Client Services

Richard has had a close association with Hemlock throughout his life, working for Hemlock on a part-time basis for more than 10 years and with the company full time since 1999. In 1996, he graduated from Ryerson University's Graphic Communications Management program, then spent 3 years working outside the family firm in both a traditional and a digital printing environment. His many roles at Hemlock include Estimator, Production Coordinator, Production Planning Manager. In fall of 2006, he took on the role of VP, Digital Solutions and Fulfillment Services at Hemlock’s Digital Division that specializes in digital print production, fulfillment services and customized web services development.

As VP Client Services, Richard now heads up Hemlock's Customer Service Team which is made up of estimators, production planners and digital services support staff.  

Richard has also been Hemlock’s key lead on sustainability initiatives since 2006.

richard@hemlock.com

Frits Kouwenhoven

Managing Partner, Hemlock Printers (USA), Inc.

Beginning his career in 1971 as an apprentice lithographer at Hemlock, Frits worked in the plant by day and attended graphic arts college by night. He graduated with his Journeymen Lithographer certificate in 1976. Using his solid background in print process, Frits transitioned into sales and grew to become the company’s VP of Sales & Marketing and a partner in the business.

In 1999 Frits took on a new challenge and moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay area. His efforts have created a strong Hemlock presence along the west coast of the US, where Hemlock now employs 10 US-based sales representatives in offices in Seattle WA, Walnut Creek CA, and Monterey CA.
 
Frits' passion for print is evident. He brings excitement and value to his many clients’ projects, contributing daily as a great addition to their fine printed products.

frits@hemlock.com

Daren McKewan

Vice President Manufacturing

Daren joined the Graphic Arts Industry in 1984 and has spent his entire career with Hemlock Printers. Beginning in our pressroom, Daren learned the printing craft. In 1987, his passion for a production-based career led him to a position as a Production Planner within our company.
 
In 1989, Daren was promoted to General Manager – Hemlock Express and managed our small press division until 1995. Today as the Vice President Manufacturing, he is responsible for our pressroom, bindery and shipping departments in addition to production scheduling.

dmckewan@hemlock.com

Doug Climie

Vice President Sales & Marketing

With over 20 years of sales management experience in manufacturing, printing, and publishing, Doug leads the professional sales team in western Canada for Hemlock as well as the many marketing initiatives for the company.

Vancouver born and UBC educated, Doug spent close to 5 years in Toronto working for a large international graphics and office products company in a national sales management capacity before returning to the west coast.

He spent over 10 years with industry giant Quebecor World in successful business development and sales management roles focused on western Canada and Pacific Northwest, and more recently was engaged in print and digital publishing as Director of Publication Sales for Canada Wide Media.

Doug now works closely with the Leadership and Sales teams in developing innovative, client-focused solutions for Hemlock’s growing base of valued customers.

doug@hemlock.com