About Us

Beau at a booth

EWI UltraThinSeal™ is an affiliate of EWI®, a leading engineering and technology organization that helps manufacturers all over the world become more competitive and bring big ideas to fruition.

In partnership with a global manufacturer of food products, EWI engineers created our unique ultrasonic sealing technology. We’ve since spun out EWI UltraThinSeal to bring our technology to packaging-industry players worldwide. As a smaller company with a single focus, we offer you a powerful tool to improve your processes and products.

Mission

Devoted to the entire supply chain of the packaging industry, including packaging end-users, we aim to empower our customers with high-tech, game-changing packaging solutions. Our mission is to facilitate low-risk upgrades to their package sealing capabilities, whether by converting existing equipment or installing the latest high-speed rotary equipment. With our patented EWI UltraThinSeal system, we help our customers achieve significant package cost savings, with ROI that is difficult to ignore. Our customers, in turn, join us in shaping the packaging industry’s future ‒ a future that is flexible, resource-conscious and full of possibilities.

Our People

Driven, inventive people make up the heart of EWI UltraThinSeal! Get to know some of our leaders.

Tony Knoerzer

Senior Vice President of Sales

Tony is an accomplished R&D leader who has led the packaging transformation of several of the largest food brands in the world. He is a technical, strategic thinker who we’re proud to have on the EWI UltraThinSeal team.

With optimism and persistence, he has generated more than 40 US patents and led teams to numerous industry awards. His experience ranges from introducing high-barrier oriented polypropylene (OPP) to snack packaging, to launching productivity programs, to designing the world’s first 100% compostable package for SunchipsTM.

Today Tony draws from decades of experience to bring practical and affordable ultrasonic sealing technology to the market with EWI UltraThinSeal. He and his wife, Michelle, live in Florissant, Colorado, with a menagerie of pets.

Education & Experience
  • PepsiCo: Former VP of Advanced Research, 1994 – 2015
  • Mobil Oil: Former Manager of Coated Products, 1989 – 1994
  • BS & MS in chemical engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo

Rocco Papalia

Chief Sales Officer

Rocco Papalia is a senior R&D leader with a record of success in strategy development and product innovation. He’s contributed to significant growth and competitive advantages for major companies.

At Del Monte Foods, Rocco held a key role in the design and launch of Big Heart Pet Brands, a $2.3B startup. At PepsiCo, Rocco created the company’s advanced research organization to drive the development and worldwide deployment of new technology for food and beverage.

Throughout his career, Rocco has led his teams to significant awards, including the 2010 R&D Award from R&D Magazine, the 2010 United Nations Association of New York Humanitarian Award, and the GMA Innovative Product of the year in 2014.

Education & Experience
  • Del Monte Foods: Former Chief Research Officer, SVP of R&D
  • PepsiCo (Frito-Lay North America): Former senior leader of R&D, QA, regulatory affairs, food safety, nutrition (20+ years)
  • Texas A&M: Former chairman for the Advisory Committee of the Institute for Food Science & Engineering
  • National Food Processors Association: Board member

Want to know more?

Check out our FAQ page to get answers for the most common questions we hear.

Visit our Technology page to see just how ultrasonic package sealing works in new and existing equipment.

To talk one-on-one with one of our experts about your specific needs or ideas, call us at 972-489-7192 or contact us online.