PRINTING United Alliance is grateful to serve its members who make such significant impacts on the printing industry. Through our Member Spotlights, we continue to recognize our members, and help our community get to know their peers better, both professionally and personally. The following is a Q&A with Kosta Gregory, operations and reliability manager at Tallgrass Industrial.
Can you elaborate on your journey into the print industry?
I have a somewhat diverse background within the print industry. I began in wide-format printing with GSP and later moved into labels and packaging with Brook & Whittle. Prior to print, my foundation was in construction project management, which made the transition into industrial maintenance both familiar and uniquely challenging.
While maintenance is not as visible or “flashy” as revenue-generating operations roles, it is a quiet and vital function. Early on, I learned three key things: dependable equipment is critical in print, many printers continue to operate legacy machinery, and there is often a support gap once OEM warranties expire or service contracts lapse. Recognizing that gap led me to an opportunity combining equipment knowledge with project management expertise through Tallgrass Industrial. Today, I help companies plan, install, and maintain both new and existing equipment to ensure long-term reliability.
What does a typical day at Tallgrass Industrial look like for you, and what aspects of your role do you enjoy most?
There really is no such thing as a “typical” day. Some days begin in the middle of the night. A few weeks ago, I received an emergency call around midnight from a plant manager whose newly installed machine had gone down. They feared the issue was related to the installation. After troubleshooting, we discovered a forklift driver had inadvertently snagged a control cable while loading materials.
That kind of unpredictability is part of the job. You never know what equipment you will encounter or what problems you will need to solve. What I enjoy most is the sense of accomplishment that comes from stepping into a critical situation and restoring operations. Being able to deliver tangible, immediate results for another organization is incredibly rewarding.
Can you share a project or accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?
While working on my project management logbook for my PMP exam, I realized there were several projects I barely remembered. That reminded me of something a veteran maintenance professional once told me early in my career: “If we have a chance to sit down and relax, it means we’re doing everything right.”
The most memorable projects are often the ones that nearly became disasters but were saved through problem-solving and perseverance. However, the projects I am most proud of are the ones that went smoothly, because those successes were the result of anticipating issues and addressing them before they ever became problems.
As a first-time attendee of PRINTING United Expo, what were your top takeaways from this year’s show?
I have participated in other trade organizations and expos during my time in the construction industry, but PRINTING United Expo stood out as distinctly different. The scale and scope were impressive. Nearly every major OEM was represented, and the equipment demonstrations rivaled what I have seen at large robotics and industrial automation expos. It was clear that print manufacturing is far more technologically advanced and dynamic than many outsiders realize.
What would you say is the biggest benefit to being a PRINTING United Alliance member, and what membership resources have you explored since joining?
The most significant benefit I have experienced so far is access to the PRINTING United Expo itself. Because the print industry is highly fragmented and dominated by small and mid-sized businesses, it retains a strong entrepreneurial spirit. PRINTING United fosters an openness that is rare. You can have meaningful conversations directly with industry leaders who have decades of experience tackling the same challenges.
The international mix of attendees was also invaluable. Hearing how peers from Germany or the UK approach familiar problems provided fresh perspectives and alternative solutions I may not have otherwise considered. That level of access, openness, and shared knowledge is what truly sets the Alliance apart.
You can contact Kosta Gregory via email: kostagregory@tallgrassindustrial.com.